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Science News for June 30, 2026


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
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

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

Researchers innovate new technique to detect plastic landmines

A new method uses machine-learning algorithms to detect scatterable PFM-1 landmines over wide areas, providing a first-pass analysis of suspected hazardous areas. The technique requires only a lightweight laptop, drone, and camera, operating without an internet connection.

SourceBinghamton University·DateJun 30, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·DateJun 30, 2026

Identification of novel BRCA2 mutations in patients with multiple primary lung cancer

A genomic study found two previously unreported truncating germline variants in BRCA2, suggesting inherited alterations may contribute to susceptibility to multiple primary lung cancers. The study also points toward important clinical applications, including the use of PARP inhibitors and molecularly targeted approaches for treatment.

SourceFujita Health University·TypeObservational study·DateJun 30, 2026

Human activity has not always harmed biodiversity – quite the opposite

A study by University of Basel researchers found that farming in Switzerland increased plant diversity over the past 7000 years. However, this trend reversed with modern agriculture's emphasis on efficiency and uniformity. The data suggests that altering farming practices could reverse declining biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 30, 2026

AI deciphers long-range DNA signals behind RNA splicing

A new AI model, SpliceSelectNet, accurately predicts RNA splicing by capturing long-range DNA signals. The model's hierarchical Transformer architecture preserves high computational efficiency while maintaining single-nucleotide resolution, enabling accurate analysis of genomic regions.

SourceThe Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 30, 2026
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

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

How cricket mothers control the developmental timing of their offspring

Researchers found that diapause eggs exhibit increased chromatin remodeling, reduced gene expression for neural development, and enhanced metabolism. This study sheds light on the developmental mechanisms underlying insect diapause, a survival strategy for cold temperatures.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2026
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

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

How embryonic cells “read” their boundaries to organize themselves

Researchers at ASHBi, Kyoto University, discovered that embryonic cells use tissue boundaries and cell interactions to organize themselves. Cells near the VE turned to face perpendicular to it, while those near ExE lay flat and parallel to the boundary.

SourceInstitute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University·JournalNature Materials·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
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Computer scientists develop a new AI tool that rivals AlphaFold 3 in mapping RNA

Computer scientists have developed a new AI tool called RNAbpFlow that can map RNA structures with high accuracy, rivaling Google's AlphaFold 3. The method uses flow matching and can generate complete 3D structures from scratch, making it useful for drug discovery and targeting specific RNA folds.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Methods·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 30, 2026

Rare ageing disorder links ‘biological clock’ to disease

Scientists have discovered a rare genetic condition called Heyn-Sproul-Jackson syndrome (HESJAS) that causes people to age at an accelerated rate. DNA methylation marks accumulate over time and can accurately measure a person's age, but in HESJAS, these marks occur at a much quicker rate, connecting to multiple age-related disease proc...

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·TypeExperimental study·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.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateJun 30, 2026

Confinement and anchoring enable stable industrial HER on Ru catalysts

A new ruthenium nanoparticle catalyst supports on a nitrogen-doped carbon framework enables stable and efficient hydrogen production. The design incorporates spatial confinement, anchoring sites, and electronic modulation to facilitate alkaline HER performance.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateJun 30, 2026
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

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

Cryo-EM helps identify the mechanisms of dental plaque formation

Researchers use cryo-electron microscopy to reveal the 3D structure of Mfa pili in P. gingivalis, understanding its role in attaching to host tissues and other microbes. This information can aid in developing therapeutic strategies to block attachment and infection.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 30, 2026

Creatine shows promise for depression, but the evidence is not yet settled

A systematic review found that creatine monohydrate may reduce depressive symptoms in people taking standard antidepressants, with two trials showing significant benefits. However, three trials showed no effect, and the evidence is not yet settled due to limitations such as small sample sizes and biased patient enrollment.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalBrain Medicine·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
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.