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Science News Archive June 2026 - Page 36


Page 36 of 52

Why are sloths so slow? It’s in their DNA

Researchers have sequenced and analyzed the two-toed sloth genome, discovering unique 'jumping genes' that are likely linked to their slow metabolism. These genes, which have been conserved over millions of years, may hold clues to understanding human health conditions such as diabetes, aging-related disorders, and muscle wasting.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalBMC Biology·DateJun 9, 2026

The press is breaking the suicide taboo but still uses stigmatizing metaphors

A recent study by Marta Coll-Florit found that while Spanish newspapers are openly discussing suicide, they still employ stigmatizing metaphors such as 'war' and 'epidemic', which can perpetuate shame and guilt around the topic. The researcher argues that these metaphors convey a focus on individual blame rather than collective respons...

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalMetaphor and Symbol·TypeContent analysis·DateJun 9, 2026

Replacing animal protein with plant protein drives weight loss in postmenopausal women, new study finds

A new study published in Menopause journal found that replacing animal protein with plant-based sources like soybeans, beans, and grains leads to significant weight loss in postmenopausal women. The study's lead author suggests that the quality of protein, not just quantity, plays a key role in weight regulation and metabolic health.

SourcePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine·JournalMenopause·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 9, 2026

New tool to help build more reliable DNA nanostructures

A new computational tool predicts and avoids unwanted interactions in DNA origami, improving reliability for biomedical and technological applications. The tool optimizes DNA sequence choice to minimize off-target interactions, leading to more successful folding of nano-scale devices.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 9, 2026

Human traits beyond inherited genes

Researchers at ISTA and Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that environmental factors influenced by parents' genes can significantly impact children's traits like height, body weight, and school performance. The study used genetic and phenotypic data from over 30,000 families to separate direct and indirect genetic effects.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalCell Genomics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 9, 2026

Millions in the US report past-year psilocybin use, study finds

A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that over 8 million people in the US, approximately 2.8% of the population, reported using psilocybin in the past year. Psilocybin users were more likely to be white, male, and affluent compared to nonusers, and often used other mind-altering substances.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAJPM Focus·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 9, 2026

The evolution of individual species can shape entire species communities

A study by the University of Helsinki found that the evolution of a single species can drastically change the composition of an entire microbial community. By analyzing the changes in bacterial genomes and species composition over four years, researchers discovered that one species' mutation led to a shift in the community's dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2026

Scientists reveal how polymer membranes form and build a better one

A research team from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics developed a free-standing ultrathin porous polymeric membrane that offers high selectivity and conductivity. The membrane was tested in a vanadium flow battery and achieved outstanding electrochemical performance, exceeding 80% energy efficiency.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNational Science Review·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 9, 2026

Criticality meets non-equilibrium dynamics: Quantum sensing approaching fundamental precision limits

Researchers developed a quantum sensing approach using superconducting qubits, combining non-equilibrium dynamics and quantum criticality to measure gradient field strengths with quantum-limit precision. The method avoids complex measurement setups, enabling highly precise estimates of gradient field strengths with limited samples.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2026

Volcanic activity shaped centennial-scale variability of Holocene monsoon rainfall

Research reveals volcanic eruptions shape monsoon dynamics on centennial timescales, cooling the Northern Hemisphere and reducing cross-equatorial moisture transport. This process, combined with a mega-ENSO-like sea surface temperature anomaly pattern, decreases rainfall across Asian, North African, and North American monsoon regions.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateJun 9, 2026

A snapshot in time: Ancient ground squirrel droppings, dating back 700,000 years, reveal rich details about evolutionary history of the Arctic

Researchers analyzed permafrost samples to recover ancient environmental DNA, revealing genetic diversity among Arctic ground squirrels. The study uncovered previously unknown lineage dating back 700,000 years, challenging previous assumptions about fossil remains.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 9, 2026

Closed‑loop synergistic nitric oxide/hydrogen delivery with feedback control for diabetic wound healing

Researchers developed a Pd-Ni5P4/DCEFS system that bridges the gap between sensitive sensing modules and high-performance therapeutic actuators. The closed-loop mechanism dynamically modulates hydrogen release based on endogenous NO concentration, creating an ideal microenvironment for macrophage polarization and wound healing.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·DateJun 9, 2026

Societal Resilience in Times of Cascading Crises and Disasters: The Horizon Europe-funded project DeCrises participated in the NEEDS 2026 Conference

The NEEDS 2026 Conference brought together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to address complex challenges of interconnected global crises. Key findings include the importance of civil society as watchdogs and local communities being co-owners of transition projects. The DeCrises project emphasizes the need for a fundamental sh...

Nature’s “master painters”: BGU researchers reveal for the first time how damselflies break optical barriers to create saturated colors

Damselflies break optical barriers to produce vivid, angle-independent colors using structural dispersion and pigment loading. This discovery provides a blueprint for creating sustainable, highly saturated photonic materials that could replace toxic synthetic pigments.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2026

Breaking the 'tunnel vision' limitation: Xi Peng laboratory develops a generic large-view-aggregation fluorescence image restoration network

The Xi Peng laboratory has developed LargePNet, a novel general-purpose fluorescence image restoration network that aggregates large-view structural information to overcome the loss of global contextual information caused by conventional patch-based training. This results in improved restoration accuracy and large-size image inference ...

SourcePeking University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 9, 2026

New therapy may reverse autism-related brain deficits

Researchers identified a promising new strategy for reversing autism-related brain deficits by targeting a specific glycine transporter. The therapy restored NMDA receptor function in mouse models and human brain organoids, improving behavioral abnormalities such as social interaction and repetitive behaviors.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2026

Deep learning for classifying and cognitive profiling of subcortical vascular cognitive impairment

A new deep learning framework uses diffusion tensor imaging to identify subcortical vascular cognitive impairment (SVCI) with high accuracy. The model stratifies patients into low-, moderate-, and high-risk subgroups for each cognitive domain, offering a more objective and scalable tool for clinicians.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalCyborg and Bionic Systems·DateJun 9, 2026

Risk factors for fatty liver disease may begin to develop as early as the prenatal period and early childhood

A new study by Tampere University researchers found that maternal pre-pregnancy hypertension and child body composition may contribute to the development of fatty liver disease. The study also identified dietary factors, such as high protein intake and low fruit consumption, as risk factors for elevated liver enzyme levels in children.

SourceTampere University·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJun 9, 2026