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Science News Archive July 2026 - Page 46


Page 46 of 56

Hair patterns are organized before birth

A UNIGE study reveals that hair follicles organize their positions on the skin of mammals through a self-organizing principle. Researchers found that a chemotactic mechanism, which directs cells to respond to chemical gradients, reproduces the formation of complex biological structures.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeNews article·DateJul 7, 2026

Researchers mimic life’s own engines

A team of researchers has successfully created an artificial protein motor that can perform tasks such as cell division and muscle movement with high efficiency and precision. The breakthrough, published in Nature Nanotechnology, demonstrates the feasibility of designing dynamic proteins capable of performing movements.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 7, 2026

Perceived risk of fentanyl use among US adolescents

Adolescents in the US are unaware of the dangers of fentanyl misuse, emphasizing the importance of public education programs and clinical communication. The study reveals a significant portion of younger adolescents are not aware of the risks associated with fentanyl use.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 7, 2026

Rising human-elephant conflict in Southern Africa

A study predicts increasing human-elephant conflicts in Southern Africa due to crop raids by elephants, which can be financially devastating for farmers. The analysis identifies human population growth, cropland expansion, and climate-driven aridity as major drivers of the conflict.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJul 7, 2026

Drug candidate treats severe fatty liver disease by protecting the gut in animal models

Researchers discovered a potential drug developed at Michigan Medicine reverses metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in animal models by disrupting the disease-driving pathway that links the gut and liver. DT-109 improved gut health, reducing inflammation in livers of nonhuman primates.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2026

New spatial transcriptomics study reveals how bone and muscle talk

A new study has mapped cellular signaling networks between bone and skeletal muscle, identifying key ligand-receptor pairs that facilitate communication between cells. The research revealed a complex network of molecular pathways that coordinate tissue maintenance and remodeling, with implications for understanding musculoskeletal diso...

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalBone Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2026

Many ways to become a monster and one map to tell

A Kobe University research reveals that insect snatching forelimbs have evolved in a similar direction but did not settle on a single solution. The study's framework allowed researchers to quantify the process across lineages and found that different shapes can capture the same ecological function.

SourceKobe University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJul 7, 2026

First bulk ferromagnetic icosahedral quasicrystals synthesized without rapid quenching

Researchers develop annealable ferromagnetic icosahedral quasicrystals with unprecedented structural quality, revealing intrinsic magnetic properties and magnetic criticality. The discovery enables the first systematic investigations of quasiperiodic magnetism and magnetic criticality in QCs.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2026

Ancient rocks reveal how water shaped Earth 3.1 billion years ago

Researchers have found evidence that water played a major role in shaping the Earth's interior and driving volcanic activity over 3.1 billion years ago. The study suggests that another process called 'dripduction' may have been transporting water into the mantle, influencing the formation of volcanic rocks.

SourceAdelaide University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 7, 2026

Researchers uncover a new mechanism underlying the most common inherited heart disease and confirm the effectiveness of a next-generation therapy

A study led by the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III has identified a new molecular mechanism involved in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Researchers confirm the effectiveness of mavacamten in treating the condition, regardless of genetic mutation type.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2026

Lost medieval manuscripts inferred by family tree

Agent-based simulations suggest that up to 60% of medieval texts and over 95% of manuscripts are at risk of extinction due to limited copies made early in their creation. The model reveals that cultural heritage is fragile and shaped by randomness, historical contingencies, and human choices.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJul 7, 2026

High-temperature activation energies determine decoupling in glass-forming liquids

A new study reveals that decoupling in glass-forming liquids originates from high-temperature activation free energies, not dynamic heterogeneity. The researchers observed a universal power-law relationship between two characteristic timescales, which matched the predicted ratio with remarkable accuracy.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 7, 2026

EleTac: An elephant-inspired soft robotic gripper with a sophisticated sense of touch

Researchers developed EleTac, a soft robotic gripper with high-resolution tactile sensing, to handle delicate objects. The gripper's innovative design enables it to adapt to various shapes and provide gentle forces, making it suitable for applications such as handling fruit, lab samples, and medical supplies.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2026

EV-SELEX: A novel platform for rapid G protein-coupled receptor drug discovery

A new aptamer selection strategy termed extracellular vesicle (EV)-SELEX has been developed to rapidly identify highly specific DNA aptamers targeting G protein-coupled receptors. The EV-SELEX platform exploits a natural cellular process to minimize interference and efficiently select biologically relevant receptor conformations.

SourceUniversity of Toyama·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2026

HonorHealth Research Institute is among first in the nation to expand access to new drug that doubles survival of pancreatic cancer patients

The FDA has granted early access to clinical trials for the new medication, allowing HonorHealth Research Institute to offer it to patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer. The drug has shown significant advancement in targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer, offering a median overall survival of 13.2 months.

SourceHonorHealth Research Institute·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 7, 2026

One in five relatives of breast and ovarian cancer patients in Estonia carry dangerous cancer-linked genes, study shows

A recent Estonian study reveals that 19.7% of healthy family members of breast and ovarian cancer patients carry variants that elevate their cancer risk, including 34% of men. The findings highlight the importance of genetic testing and counseling for those with a family history of the disease.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateJul 7, 2026

Study: With the help of AI, MS researchers can now see brain lesions they knew were there but couldn’t previously see on scans

A University at Buffalo-led team has developed a method to reliably measure cortical lesions in MS using artificial intelligence. By analyzing existing MRI scans, they found over 11,000 cortical lesions, revealing new insights into the disease's progression and cognitive impairment.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 7, 2026

New research finds connection to place predicts hurricane response among US coastal residents

A recent study found that people with a strong connection to place are more likely to take protective actions and heed local officials' recommendations during hurricanes. The study also revealed that maps can be misleading, with participants judging their own risk lower even if their home is located just outside the forecasted flood zone.

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·JournalRisk Analysis·DateJul 7, 2026