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Science News for June 24, 2026


Self-recoverable mechanoluminescence in simple oxides: Al₂O₃:Cr

Researchers developed a simple oxide system with intrinsic self-recoverable mechanoluminescence without external energy input. The material exhibits strong near-infrared emission under mechanical stimulation, featuring reversible ionization and recapture process enabling consistent emission over thousands of loading cycles.

New electrocatalyst helps clean polluted waters and industrial chemical production

A new electrochemical system converts biomass-derived compounds into valuable chemicals while reducing energy consumption, producing essential products such as glutaric acid and ammonia. The nickel-vanadium layered double hydroxide catalyst accelerates both chemical reactions efficiently.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 24, 2026

Ultra-broadband single-stack mid-infrared semiconductor lasers grown by MOCVD

Researchers developed a novel single-active-region mid-infrared QCL architecture that achieves broad spectral coverage and high gain uniformity. The diagonal multi-state-to-continuum active region design enables strong coupling between upper lasing levels, substantially broadening the gain bandwidth of the active region.

AI and physics draw a blueprint for better hydrogen storage materials

Researchers at Tohoku University have created a clearer map for searching for hydrogen storage materials, identifying key physical factors that control their performance. The study suggests adjusting geometry and lattice flexibility to raise capacity while tuning stiffness to keep equilibrium pressure near everyday conditions.

Direct questioning may overstate media criticism

A recent study in Japan found that direct survey questions can make negative attitudes toward the mass media appear stronger than they actually are. The study compared direct questioning with indirect questioning using a list experiment and found a significant gap of 15.4 percentage points in agreement rates.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalInternational Journal of Public Opinion Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2026

POSTECH research team cuts cost of building reconstituted cell-free systems by 95%

A POSTECH research team has created an automated, modular system for assembling reconstituted cell-free systems, significantly reducing costs by 95% and preparation time to 2 days. This innovation enables the customization of individual components, paving the way for improved biologically engineered high-value therapeutics.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateJun 24, 2026

Crude oil separates without boiling: KAIST and Georgia Tech develop energy-saving membrane technology

Researchers have developed a polymer membrane that separates crude oil at room temperature, significantly reducing the need for energy-intensive heating in conventional refining. The membrane uses self-assembled separation channels smaller than 2 nanometers to selectively separate lighter fractions from heavier components.

Healthy infant microbiomes appear to protect against malaria

A study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology found that healthy infant gut microbiomes are linked to reduced risk of malaria. Babies with beneficial microbes like Bifidobacterium were less likely to develop the disease. However, further research is needed to confirm this association.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2026

UCLA Health study documents successful one-year outcome following first-ever bladder transplant

Researchers led by Dr. Nima Nassiri have successfully transplanted a human bladder for the first time, with patient Oscar Larrainzar thriving a year after the operation. The breakthrough procedure has paved the way for a new field of surgery and offers hope to patients with end-stage bladder disease.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 24, 2026

Obesity inequalities in England have widened since COVID-19 – with steepest increases in new cases in young adults

Rates of new obesity cases rose by 4% between 2019 and 2025, with the largest increases seen among young adults. The study also found significant disparities in obesity rates across sociodemographic groups and geographical regions, highlighting the need for deep-seated change to address the underlying factors driving obesity.

SourceHealth Data Research UK·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2026

FDA approves drug for patients with HR+, HER2+ advanced breast cancer based on results from alliance foundation trials PATINA trial

The FDA approved palbociclib in combination with trastuzumab and endocrine therapy for patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive advanced breast cancer. The PATINA trial demonstrated a significant prolongation of progression-free survival by over 15 months, providing new hope for individ...

What happens when environmental change outpaces life’s ability to adapt?

Scientists at MIT developed a theoretical model that predicts the severity of most mass extinctions based on the mismatch between environmental change and biological adaptation rates. The study successfully predicted the fraction of life that went extinct in Earth's history, suggesting that life has evolved to adapt at a similar scale ...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 24, 2026

Mary Beth Farrell receives 2026 SNMMI-TS Lifetime Achievement Award for transformative contributions to nuclear medicine technology

Mary Beth Farrell has been honored with the 2026 SNMMI-TS Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades-long dedication to elevating the nuclear medicine profession. Her leadership in accreditation, research, and education has shaped national standards and driven quality improvement initiatives that continue to impact patient care.

Beyond the “magic bullet”: scientists map how cancer outsmarts antibody-drug conjugates—and how to fight back

Cancer cells develop multiple resistance mechanisms to antibody-drug conjugates, including antigen downregulation and mutation, internalization deficits, and payload efflux. Researchers propose innovative strategies, such as bispecific ADCs, dual-payload designs, and combination regimens, to overcome these defenses.

SourceChina Anti-Cancer Association·JournalCancer Biology & Medicine·DateJun 24, 2026

This is how fair climate action works: Findings for 88 countries with 5 billion people

The study analyzes household consumption and carbon intensity in 88 countries, revealing that income disparities within groups are more significant than between rich and poor. The research provides guidance on socially balancing climate policy, including factors like car ownership, energy use, and geographical location.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2026

New designer proteins for deeper insights into living tissue: International research project involving scientists from Dresden

Scientists from Dresden have developed new proteins that emit fluorescence in the near-infrared and short-wave infrared ranges, allowing for high sensitivity visualization of biological structures. This breakthrough enables deeper tissue imaging and could aid in studying disease mechanisms and therapeutic effects.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 24, 2026

UT climate model of last year’s July 4 storms suggests that sea surface temperatures actually reduced rainfall

Research Scientists Edward Vizy and Professor Kerry Cook analyzed a storm that caused catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. They found that warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures weakened the Great Plains low-level jet, resulting in weaker storms and less intense rainfall.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 24, 2026

Five years of aerosol remote sensing in Mindelo – a milestone in atmospheric research in the Atlantic

The Ocean Science Centre Mindelo (OSCM) has been conducting aerosol remote sensing for five years, providing insights into Saharan dust and volcanic particles over the Atlantic. The measurements have revealed pronounced seasonal dust events and high variability in dust intensity.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalAtmospheric Measurement Techniques·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2026

Finns’ participation in voluntary national defence is motivated by a wide range of factors

Active reservists in Finland participate in voluntary national defense for a wide range of factors, including the sense of community, threat from Russia, and desire to contribute. Four in five interviewees reported forming meaningful relationships and feeling a sense of belonging through participation.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalFennia - International Journal of Geography·DateJun 24, 2026

New paper studies emergence of identity-based labor organizing

A new study from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scholar John Kallas examines how union activists practiced intersectional organizing by drawing on their experiences as marginalized individuals. Union activists united around shared social identities, such as sexual orientation and disability, to advance organizing campaigns.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalILR Review·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2026

Researchers discover an unprecedented mechanism for weakening a bacterium responsible for food poisoning

Scientists from the University of Malaga have discovered a hitherto unknown mechanism that allows Bacillus cereus to form highly organized communities, known as biofilms, which act as a protective shield against antibiotics and adverse conditions. The study reveals the molecular system responsible for this process, including three key ...

SourceUniversity of Malaga·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2026

High polarity doping of CoFe layered hydroxides: Bifunctional and corrosion‑resistant anion exchange membrane seawater electrolyzers

Researchers have developed a novel fluorine-doped CoFe layered hydroxide catalyst that outperforms traditional materials in seawater electrolysis, offering improved durability and activity for hydrogen production. The material's 'chlorophobic' barrier suppresses corrosion while sustaining OH accessibility.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeNews article·DateJun 24, 2026

Perspective: Vanadium flow batteries poised to power hundred-megawatt long-duration storage

Researchers have made significant progress in vanadium flow battery technology, overcoming challenges such as limited stack power density, electrolyte stability issues and high material costs. The team has improved the techno-economic performance and engineering readiness of VFB systems through integrated innovation and collaboration w...

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Energy·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 24, 2026

A new type of pixel

A research team led by David Norris developed pixels that can both steer light and analyse it, allowing for the creation of camera-displays with combined functions. These so-called bidirectional pixels use surface waves to control light intensity, polarisation, and oscillation phase.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJun 24, 2026

Medicine: cause of chronic inflammatory bowel disease in children discovered

A team of international researchers has identified a previously unknown genetic cause of Crohn's disease in children, specifically pathogenic variants in the BIRC3 gene. The study found that loss of BIRC3 function leads to dysregulation of the RIPK1 signaling pathway, promoting chronic inflammations and increasing epithelial cell death.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalGastroenterology·DateJun 24, 2026

Electric field, oxygen spillover team up to govern electrode migration in SOECs

Researchers found that oxygen spillover drives silver transport by forming mobile Ag−O δ− species, while the electric field controls the direction and speed of silver migration. This dynamic restructuring enhances the oxygen evolution reaction by creating more active triple-phase boundaries.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 24, 2026

Sicily was a medieval melting pot

A recent study published in PLOS One analyzed DNA from 111 individuals across 19 archaeological sites in Sicily, revealing a complex demographic history. The results show that North African descent was present earlier than expected, and both Islamic and Christian burials had diverse ancestry patterns.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2026

Dutch kids in schools which implement healthy lunches and more physical activity perform significantly better in math tests, per analysis of the Healthy Primary School of the Future program

A recent analysis of the Healthy Primary School of the Future program found that Dutch children performing better in math tests, thanks to healthier lunches and increased physical activity. The study suggests a positive correlation between these factors and academic success.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateJun 24, 2026

A magnetic field that kills superconductivity can also bring it back

Researchers at RIKEN CEMS created a thin conducting layer at oxide interface and observed reentrant superconductivity, where superconductivity disappears then re-emerges under increased magnetic field. This phenomenon provides new platform for investigating unconventional forms of superconductivity and quantum mechanisms.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2026

HSS researchers identify hidden mechanism driving joint tissue growth in rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery identified SPP1ʰmacrophages that promote excessive joint tissue expansion in rheumatoid arthritis. These cells work with structural cells and protein scaffolds to drive abnormal growth, suggesting a coordinated interaction between immune cells, structural cells, and the extracellular matrix.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeNews article·DateJun 24, 2026

Revealed: The key to studying the event horizon where light and sound are swallowed for eternity (animation available)

Astronomers have successfully observed the previously elusive 'event horizon' of a black hole at the moment of collision, allowing for new insights into quantum physics and general relativity. This breakthrough enables astrophysicists to study extreme gravity and phenomena like frame dragging near the event horizon.

SourceTania Ewing and Associates·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2026

Bilingual brains use a shared concept map between languages

Researchers discovered that bilingual brains store concepts in a mental map spanning both languages, allowing for smooth language switching while keeping them distinct. The brain organizes individual words within each language and connects equivalent meanings across languages using a semantic map.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2026

Scientists demonstrate solar-powered plastic recycling at real-world scale

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have successfully demonstrated a scalable approach to solar-powered plastic recycling, converting plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel and valuable industrial chemicals in outdoor conditions. The technology uses a simple spray-coating method to produce photocatalyst materials and reactors ...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Chemical Engineering·DateJun 24, 2026

Could daytime light exposure help protect against dementia?

A study of 87,577 adults found that average daytime light exposure above 1,000 lux reduced dementia risk by 16%. Longer exposure to bright light was associated with an even greater reduction in risk. Daytime light exposure was stronger predictor of dementia than established risk factors.

SourceWiley·JournalGeneral Psychiatry·DateJun 24, 2026

Environmental DNA reveals impact of climate and humans on global river fish biodiversity

A global analysis of fish biodiversity in rivers reveals that warmer climates and larger catchment sizes are associated with increased biodiversity. However, human activity weakens this relationship, particularly in smaller river catchments. The study demonstrates the potential of environmental DNA as a tool for rapid, large-scale biod...

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2026

Psychological and urogenital menopause symptoms similar regardless of timing of menopause

A new study compared menopause symptoms in women at the average age of 51 years and those with premature ovarian insufficiency, finding similar symptom burden in psychological and urogenital domains. Urogenital symptoms, including sexual problems and bladder issues, were the most commonly reported in both groups.

SourceThe Menopause Society·JournalMenopause·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2026

Seeing through optical noise: a sharper way to image the eye

The STOC-T technology resolves optical noise in eye imaging by fundamentally changing the way imaging data is collected, resulting in sharper images and improved diagnostic accuracy. This new approach addresses the problem earlier, before image construction, rather than relying on post-processing algorithms.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2026

UofL scientists unlock gut-healing power of fruits and nuts paired with the right gut microbes

Scientists discovered a natural microbial compound that protects the gut and supports future treatments for inflammatory bowel disease. UroA activates a protective pathway in intestinal epithelial cells, triggering the release of molecules associated with maintaining normal intestinal function and repairing the gut lining.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2026

A new technology helps reveal how the heart generates cells with regenerative potential

Researchers at CNIC developed a technique to analyze proteins in individual cardiomyocytes, uncovering new clues about cardiac regeneration. The study found that the transcription factor Myc alters protein expression differently in each cell, generating regenerative potential in a subpopulation of cardiomyocytes.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalGenome Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2026