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Science News Archive June 2026


Page 1 of 52

Moving toward better tests and treatments for Lyme disease

Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine discovered biomarkers that could help clinicians better detect and possibly cure early and persistent Borrelia burgdorferi infections. Anti-lipid antibodies, such as anti-phosphatidic acid and anti-phosphatylserine, may indicate new Lyme disease infections or persistent symptoms after ...

SourceTufts University·JournalInfection and Immunity·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 30, 2026

Overconfidence and misinformation

Researchers surveyed 503 Americans on news headline accuracy and confidence. They found that people with high confidence in specific judgements were better at distinguishing true from false headlines, whereas those with general overconfidence struggled with this task.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJun 30, 2026

Can AI make a persuasive case for trans rights?

A chatbot using GPT-4o technology delivers personalized messages to American adults, increasing support for transgender rights and improving attitudes, but effects are short-term. The intervention demonstrates AI's potential as a scalable complement to community-based approaches aimed at fostering inclusion.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJun 30, 2026

Government of the few

A recent poll found that Orange County residents generally trust their local institutions, with 60% trusting the police department and 25% trusting the federal government. However, Independents express skepticism towards county government at just 32%, highlighting a concerning trend in the civic landscape.

Mapping the risk factors for mother-infant bonding disorder

Researchers at University of Toyama found three risk factors for mother-infant bonding disorders: difficulty holding a fussy baby, low happiness about pregnancy, and lack of social support. These factors predict increased risks of developmental delays and child abuse.

SourceToyama Regional Center for the Japan Environment and Children's Study, University of Toyama·JournalArchives of Women s Mental Health·TypeObservational study·DateJun 30, 2026

Hanyang University researchers explore perovskite solar cells for space, underwater, and other extreme environments

Researchers aim to develop reliable power generation in harsh environments, including space and underwater settings, using perovskite solar cells. Advances in material composition and device engineering can overcome instability issues, enabling long-term reliability and performance.

SourceHanyang University Research Strategy Planning Team·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 30, 2026

Researchers discover how acute myeloid leukemia invades the lungs and which pathways could halt its infiltration

Acute myeloid leukemia transforms lung tissue into an inflammatory environment that promotes tumor cell expansion and impairs respiratory function. Researchers identified galectin-9 and the IL-33/IL1RL1 axis as potential targets for reducing this serious complication.

SourceInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (Sant Pau Research Institute)·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2026

Lab-grown retinal cells show promise for new eye therapies

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have successfully grown specialized blood vessel cells critical to retinal health from induced pluripotent stem cells. These 'retinal endothelial cells' integrated into damaged tissue to regenerate blood vessels, restore function, and form functional vascular tissue in a lab-grown environment.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2026

First-of-its-kind cell therapy clinical trial led by Children’s National shows promising long-term survival in children with aggressive brain tumors

A Phase I trial evaluated a novel multi-targeted T-cell therapy for children with deadly brain tumors, offering early evidence that the patient's own immune cells can reach and fight tumors while producing fewer severe side effects. The study suggests a safer and more effective approach for pediatric brain cancers.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 30, 2026

Isolated Pt sites anchored by skeletal Fe in MFI zeolite nanosheets towards productive propane dehydrogenation

Researchers have created a novel Pt-Fe bimetallic catalyst that exhibits remarkable catalytic metrics, maintaining propylene selectivity over 95% and regenerability. The framework anchoring effect of iron species suppresses thermal sintering of Pt centers, ensuring atomic dispersion under high-temperature conditions.

Restoring lost senses: one technology for both artificial vision and touch

Researchers have discovered that advanced brain interfacing technology used for both touch and vision prostheses is almost identical, despite being developed separately. This breakthrough could lead to faster restoration of lost senses, including sight and motor function, with a unified technology that benefits both patient groups.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Reviews Bioengineering·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 30, 2026

Predicting complex metal forming behavior with ai-level speed and accuracy!

A new analysis model predicts plastic deformation behavior of sheet metals based on microstructural characteristics, reducing calculation time from hours to seconds. The technology improves process design efficiency for automotive and battery applications by predicting forming issues like tearing and wrinkling.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Plasticity·DateJun 30, 2026

Rice grown on the Moon?

Researchers have developed a plasma technology that can produce nitrogen fertilizer suitable for cultivating rice seedlings under lunar conditions. The technology successfully neutralizes highly alkaline regolith and releases critical mineral nutrients, allowing plants to absorb them more readily.

SourceTohoku University·Journalnpj Microgravity·DateJun 29, 2026

High-performance thermally-evaporated light-emitting diodes via one-step vapor purification

This paper introduces a novel one-step vapor purification technique to achieve high-purity vapor atmospheres and reduce impurities in thermally evaporated devices. The approach successfully suppressed defect formation and improved stability in perovskite LEDs and OLEDs.

The wear behind electrification

Researchers reviewed current-carrying friction and wear models, noting mechanistic models rely on specific conditions, numerical simulations require computation, and AI approaches depend on high-quality data. The review aims to predict wear behavior accurately before damage occurs.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalFriction·DateJun 29, 2026

1,000 days since October 7 - Bringing survivors' voices to the world through AI-powered living archive - Hebrew University and Edut 710

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Edut 710 have partnered to create a groundbreaking AI-powered living archive, featuring nearly 2,000 survivor, witness, and first responder testimonies. The archive will enable users to search, translate, and explore the accounts through natural language, preserving authenticity and integrity.

Camouflaging snails change color in the rain

Researchers at the University of Tokyo discovered that two tree snail species can alter their shell colors and patterns in response to humidity, using a process called refractive index matching. This unique mechanism has potential applications for smart sensors and materials.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalZoological Letters·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 29, 2026

School performance linked to youth criminal justice

A study by King's College London found that students with declining school performance are at a higher risk of contact with the criminal justice system. Researchers identified 'signals' in school records indicating pupils who may need support, highlighting opportunities for early intervention.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 29, 2026

Healthy but sedentary individuals show early decline in cellular energy production

A CU Anschutz study reveals reduced mitochondrial efficiency in healthy yet sedentary individuals, which may precede the development of major diseases like cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Regular exercise acts as a literal shield for cellular health, helping mitochondria seamlessly switch between burning fat and carbohydrates.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz·JournalClinical Bioenergetics·TypeObservational study·DateJun 29, 2026

KAIST: how does superconductivity begin? Unveiling the hidden flow of electrons

Researchers from KAIST have provided experimental evidence that electrons form a loop-like circulating order (loop-current order) before reaching the superconducting state. This discovery sheds light on the fundamental principles of superconductivity and offers a crucial clue for understanding unconventional superconductivity.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Physics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 29, 2026

AI companionship poses risks for teen development

Researchers warn that teens' reliance on AI chatbots may bypass opportunities for developing essential relationship skills. The technology offers immediate, nonjudgmental guidance but lacks needed safeguards, potentially reinforcing unhealthy relationship patterns and increasing vulnerability to mental health problems.

SourceArizona State University·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 29, 2026

Destination Earth moves into its third phase

Destination Earth is a European Union-funded initiative that aims to build a digital replica of the Earth system by 2030. The project integrates climate change adaptation and weather-induced extreme events with AI capabilities, providing flexible simulation frameworks for tailored information on impacts and potential evolutions.

SourceECMWF·DateJun 29, 2026

Sizing up fern genomes

Researchers at UNH and Cornell discovered that Salvinia ferns have dynamic genomes linked to reproduction differences. The study reveals the role of chromosome fissions and fusions in shaping their genome size and structure.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2026

Telehealth navigator program improves blood pressure control among Black patients at federally qualified health centers

A new study shows that a telehealth navigator program can significantly improve blood pressure control among Black patients with hypertension cared for at federally qualified health centers. The program was associated with a 31.4 percentage point increase in the likelihood of having controlled blood pressure.

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 29, 2026

Same day administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines not associated with increase in adverse events

A study found that administering COVID-19 and influenza vaccines on the same day is not associated with an increased risk of serious or clinically meaningful adverse events. The research, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, involved 2.5 million patients in the US Department of Veterans Affairs health care system and compared thos...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateJun 29, 2026