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Science News for June 11, 2026


How skilled soccer players outsmart defenders through coordinated motion

Researchers analyzed high-speed camera footage of skilled soccer players performing the scissors feint, revealing distinct movement characteristics that differ from less-skilled players. These include active distance regulation, strategic modulation of relative speed and efficient feint execution.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalTaiikugaku kenkyu (Japan Journal of Physical Education Health and Sport Sciences)·DateJun 11, 2026

HKU chemists unlock the secret to designing ultra-tough and responsive “smart” materials

Researchers at The University of Hong Kong have developed a way to design polymers with precise molecular structures, allowing them to control material properties such as stiffness, strength, and elasticity. By introducing copper ions, the team can dynamically alter the rigidity of these materials.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

HKU and NICE sign MoU to advance industrial technology innovation and commercialization strengthening innovation ties between Hong Kong and the Yangtze River Delta

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the National Innovation Center for Excellence (NICE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic framework for collaboration in technology innovation, commercialization, applied research, and talent development. The partnership aims to foster technological innovation an...

Breaking the limitations of sulfur redox kinetics by accelerated Li+‑desolvation in lithium–sulfur batteries

The P/Ce-NC catalyst accelerates Li+ desolvation, unlocking rapid sulfur redox kinetics and unprecedented cycling stability. The dual electronic modulation mechanism enhances interaction between Ce and solvent molecules, weakening the Li+-solvent coordination and reducing the desolvation energy barrier.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeNews article·DateJun 11, 2026

HKUMed develops innovative tool to repair genetic errors, offering new hope for neurodegenerative diseases

The University of Hong Kong has developed RNA Segment Editing (RSE), a 'cut-and-patch' tool for RNA that can precisely remove or replace faulty segments without permanently changing DNA. This innovation offers targeted therapies for neurodegenerative conditions like Huntington's disease.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

HKUMed develops novel combination therapy to reduce leukaemia relapse rate, extending window for bone marrow transplants

A new combination therapy called QUIZOM significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival in patients with FLT3 gene mutations. The study found a composite complete remission rate of about 83% while reducing the risk of relapse, providing an effective and feasible treatment option for high-risk blood cancers.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

The Lancet: Combined food policies, including labelling and advertising bans, have real-world impact on reducing child obesity, first evidence plausibly shows

A study published in The Lancet found that Chile's comprehensive food policies, including labelling and advertising bans, have a real-world impact on reducing child obesity. After implementing the Food Labelling and Advertising Law in 2016, children who had been at school for 18 months showed a lower risk of overweight or obesity compa...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2026

Improving protein folding may lead to new diabetes treatments

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute found that enhancing protein-folding processes can help prevent harm to insulin-producing cells. The study revealed the importance of a chaperone protein called binding immunoglobulin protein and its cochaperone protein p58 IPK in maintaining proper proinsulin folding.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

UCLA-led research suggests early heart changes may predict future cancer risk

A new study found associations between cardiac remodeling and higher risks of breast and colorectal cancers, with left ventricular mass index linked to breast cancer risk and reduced peak left atrial strain predictive of colorectal cancer risk. The study suggests that early heart changes may serve as an early marker for identifying ind...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 11, 2026

Biochar’s hidden electron power could unlock cleaner pollution control and energy recovery

A new review highlights the potential of biochar's intrinsic redox properties to enhance pollutant degradation, microbial processes, and energy recovery. Biochar can act like an electron shuttle or buffer, transferring electrons more efficiently than highly conductive materials in stressed environments.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 11, 2026

Fungi help biochar and compost lock more carbon in nutrient-poor urban soils

A new study found that soil fungi play a key role in supporting carbon retention and improving fertility in nutrient-poor urban soils. Biochar and compost increased soil carbon and nitrogen storage most strongly in these soils, with amendment effects up to 14.4 times greater than those observed in nutrient-rich soils.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

Light as a brake

The study found that increasing light intensity decreases diffusion rates of nanotubes in water, a phenomenon known as light-induced quantum friction. The team also demonstrated the immediate coupling between nanotubes and water using terahertz spectroscopy.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

JMIR report: The frontier of women’s health care innovation

FemTech has expanded over the past decade to become a major force for women's health worldwide, tackling issues like reproductive health, cardiovascular disease, and chronic conditions. International funding bodies are creating opportunities for innovation, enabling researchers to redefine how women access and experience medical care.

SourceJMIR Publications·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 11, 2026

Diffusion in a heterogeneous medium – or how voting preferences can be described in terms of physics

A team of physicists used mathematical modeling to describe the spread of opinion and election results in terms of anomalous diffusion. Their research found that certain social phenomena exhibit similar characteristics to physical systems, such as particle movement in complex media.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalChaos An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science·DateJun 11, 2026

UCLA researchers awarded NIH grant to improve detection and treatment of glioblastoma

Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have been awarded a $3.2 million NIH grant to develop advanced imaging and surgical strategies for improving glioblastoma outcomes. The team aims to use pH-based imaging to guide precise tumor removal and explore targeted therapies that target the tumor's acid-regulating systems.

Lead levels in children have dropped nationally, yet lead in old homes and cultural products increase poisoning risks for children of color

A new study reveals that despite a decline in national lead levels, children of color and from low-wealth families continue to face higher exposure risks due to increased lead in old homes and cultural products. The authors call for policy solutions to eliminate all sources of lead and provide targeted interventions to reduce disparities.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2026

Editorial Expression of Concern on 2024 Research Article “Durably reducing conspiracy beliefs through dialogues with AI”

The Science journal has issued an Editorial Expression of Concern regarding a 2024 Research Article on using dialogues with AI to reduce conspiracy beliefs. The authors reported inconsistencies in their analysis pipeline and dataset, which affected the reproducibility of their results.

One billion times the distance from the Earth to the sun: First global map of mycorrhizal fungi reveals true scale of underground networks across the planet

Researchers created the first global maps of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi's distribution and mass, estimating ~110 quadrillion kilometers of network length and ~300 megatons of carbon. The networks support plant life and regulate climate by drawing in CO2 from atmosphere.

SourceSociety for the Protection of Underground Networks·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 11, 2026

Narrower, brighter, better

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a new organic molecule with an ultranarrow emission spectrum, achieving monochromatic light without strong excitation. The breakthrough opens up possibilities for OLEDs with extremely high color purity and advanced functionality.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program announces cohort 5 awardees

Eighty medical students from across the US and Puerto Rico are selected for a six-week summer experience to introduce them to clinical research early in their careers. The program aims to develop the next generation of clinical investigators equipped to engage communities and improve participation in clinical trials.

Sheba Medical Center and Kessler Foundation partner to expand revolutionary spinal stimulation rehabilitation for people with a spinal cord injury

The collaboration aims to expand research and clinical program development in spinal cord stimulation, pairing it with intensive activity-based training to improve movement, mobility, and other functions. This effort will help move evidence-based practices into broader clinical use, benefiting people living with a spinal cord injury.

Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine researcher awarded up to $17.25 million to join an international autism research collaborative

Baylor College of Medicine researcher Dr. Jimmy Holder and his team will join the ARIA IMPACT Network to accelerate clinical trial readiness and implementation for promising therapies on autism. The collaboration aims to better understand how autism develops and changes over time in children with profound autism.

Exploring the bidirectional skin-brain axis: Mental health, dermatology-related quality of life, and the role of probiotics

This Brazilian adult study explores the association between mental health, dermatology-related quality of life, and probiotic intake. Women were found to have higher anxiety, depression, and stress levels than men, with strong positive correlations among these conditions.

SourceJournal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology·JournalJournal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2026

New framework aims to transform high-altitude medicine through whole-body approach to hypoxia

A new model proposes a comprehensive framework for understanding altitude-related illnesses as interconnected manifestations of a common underlying process. The Hypoxia Stress-induced Multi-organ Injury (HSMI) framework emphasizes the widespread biological responses triggered by oxygen deprivation, affecting organs over time.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·DateJun 11, 2026

New study finds points systems drive sick workers to show up, undermining paid sick leave laws

A new study reveals that employer points systems, which penalize workers for absences regardless of reason, are strongly associated with presenteeism and undermine public health benefits of paid sick leave laws. Workers in the US who were subject to these systems were more likely to show up to work while sick.

SourceHarvard Kennedy School·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 11, 2026

Could a controversial cooling strategy save our fisheries and coral reefs from marine heat waves?

A controversial cooling strategy to shield Earth from sun's rays could offer unequal protection for oceans and communities, leaving 25-75% of seas at risk from overheating. Researchers used computer simulations to forecast marine heat waves under future scenarios with and without solar geoengineering.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEnvironmental Research Climate·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 11, 2026

The universal tempo of animal communication

Researchers found that 95% of animal species vocalize at a rate between 0.45 and 4.99 Hz, with a peak at 2.8 Hz, suggesting a shared ancient constraint across species. This universal tempo may facilitate communication between species.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

New study shows metformin given during acute COVID-19 infection reduced risk of clinician-diagnosed long COVID by 50%

A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that metformin reduced the risk of clinician-diagnosed long COVID by 50% when administered during acute COVID-19 infection. The study, which enrolled nearly 3,000 adults, showed improved long-term outcomes and no safety concerns.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 11, 2026

Temple Health awarded $700,000 William Penn Foundation grant to develop trauma‑informed family support

The Temple Family Thriving Program integrates caregiver and early childhood support into prenatal and postpartum care to strengthen parent-child bonds and promote healthy development. The program aims to reduce risk factors associated with child abuse and neglect by addressing caregiver stress and promoting positive parenting practices.

On the trail of the missing hydrogen atoms

A scientific team has developed an AI-powered approach to solve a practical problem in materials science by locating missing atomic positions in otherwise known structures. By using an adapted open-source model called XtalPaint, researchers can reconstruct accurate crystal representations with a success rate of 97%.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 11, 2026

Plants reveal hidden PFAS pollution that soils can miss, study finds

A new study found that plants can reveal recent PFAS contamination linked to airborne deposition, suggesting direct exposure from the atmosphere rather than uptake through roots alone. The research suggests that vegetation can serve as a valuable tool for tracking emerging environmental contaminants and complement traditional soil-base...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2026

Revealing optical activity in achiral crystals

A team of researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo found that Raman optical activity can occur in nonmagnetic, centrosymmetric crystals with ferroaxial order, which introduces an internal directional property. This effect depends on the orientation of the crystal and is linked to the direction of internal rotational order.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

Open-source artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of humanity: Scientists question, if the world is ready

Researchers warn that open-source AI could increase environmental pressures, deepen technological inequalities, and spread misinformation. To mitigate these risks, the authors propose four governance actions to ensure AI contributes positively to the Sustainable Development Goals.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 11, 2026

Americans split on fluoridation; opposition by MAHA supporters notable

A new survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds Americans sharply divided over the use of fluoride in public drinking water. Supporters of the Make America Healthy Again movement are notably more skeptical about fluoridation's health effects, while a majority trust the American Dental Association's stance on its safety.

Self-driving cars safer and more human

A Delft University of Technology breakthrough integrates perception, decision-making, and execution into a single framework. The model detects hazardous situations, predicts traffic evolution, and determines effective avoidance strategies, with realistic braking reaction times and human-like behavior.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 11, 2026

A novel lightweight near-non-ablation HfO2-SiBOC ceramic: from SiHfBOC precursor synthesis to oxyacetylene flame testing at 2000°C

A novel HfO2-SiBOC ceramic has been designed and synthesized with a density of 2.49 g/cm3, significantly lower than traditional ultra-high temperature ceramics. The ceramic exhibits outstanding ablation resistance under 2000°C oxyacetylene flame for 300 s, making it a promising material for ultra-high temperature applications.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Advanced Ceramics·DateJun 11, 2026

Blurred lines: Reconstructing depth from a single snapshot

A team of researchers from The University of Osaka has developed a new approach for depth reconstruction from defocus, estimating distances by analyzing blur in an image. Their method combines a coded-aperture camera with diffusion-model-based AI to accurately estimate depth and produce high-quality images.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computational Imaging·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

AI study reveals stark inequalities in global climate plans

An international team of researchers used AI to analyse climate commitments submitted by 158 countries, finding profound inequalities persist. The study found that high-income nations focus on health and emissions reduction, while low- and middle-income countries prioritize access to basic resources like water, energy, and food security.

SourceUniversity of Alicante·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateJun 11, 2026

Social media use linked to poorer mental health in early adolescence

Adolescents who spend at least two hours a day on social media are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and poorer wellbeing, with the strongest effects seen in girls aged 12–13 years. The study, which followed almost 1,200 children from age nine to 19, highlights the need for policies that reduce excessive screentime.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalThe Medical Journal of Australia·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2026

Body clock found to control inflammatory responses in macrophages

Researchers from Kyushu University discovered that the circadian clock protein BMAL1 drives macrophages towards a pro-inflammatory M1 state by activating inflammatory signaling pathways. This mechanism links the body clock to intracellular metabolism and immune function, offering new insights into treating inflammatory diseases.

SourceKyushu University·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

Novel gene therapy platform restores muscle function in models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Researchers developed a novel gene therapy platform that successfully restored muscle function in preclinical models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by delivering full-length mRNA of the DMD gene via engineered extracellular vesicles. The treatment showed improved muscle strength, endurance, and function without serious side effects.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJun 11, 2026

Programmable device closes wounds

A new study published in Advanced Science shows that a programmable device can close complex wounds quickly, improving wound healing. The device uses customizable force to adapt to different wound shapes, promoting blood flow, nutrient delivery, and reduced scarring.

SourceWiley·JournalAdvanced Science·DateJun 11, 2026

Researchers discover that a gut bacteria molecule may calm intestinal inflammation by turning down cellular energy

Researchers discovered that enterobactin, produced by certain gut bacteria, can reduce intestinal inflammation by temporarily slowing down cellular energy production. This finding connects to the emerging concept of mitohormesis and has promising implications for treating inflammatory bowel disease.

SourceUniversity of Toledo·JournalGut Microbes·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

Leaf traits drive herbivory across forests: Silicon and heat tolerance matter

Researchers found that plant species with tougher leaves actually suffered more from insect damage, while those with higher silicon concentrations sustained less. In contrast, plants with higher heat tolerance experienced greater herbivory. Understanding these drivers is crucial for predicting forest health under future climate scenarios.

SourceSouth China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalPlant Diversity·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

Individualizing blood pressure after thrombectomy improves stroke recovery

A new approach to blood pressure management after thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke has shown significant improvement in functional recovery and reduced complications. The HOPE trial found that adapting blood pressure targets to the degree of cerebral reperfusion improves patients' recovery without increasing risk.

SourceInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (Sant Pau Research Institute)·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2026

Turning food waste into carbon captors

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel approach to carbon capture using whey and tofu by-products. The material absorbs CO2 at a high rate, outperforming conventional methods, and can be reused, reducing energy consumption.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 11, 2026

Sodium bicarbonate for in-hospital cardiac arrest

A new study published in JAMA found no significant difference between sodium bicarbonate and placebo in sustaining return of spontaneous circulation. The findings suggest that routine administration of sodium bicarbonate for patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest may not be necessary.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJun 11, 2026