Science News for May 13, 2026

HKU engineer Jiawei Zhou Receives 2026 Croucher Innovation Award

From lab to market: MedTech Hackathon GBA 2026 accelerates commercialization of medtech innovations

HKU unveils innovative portable AI optical sensing device for rapid, non-invasive cancer risk detection

AI-assisted MRI workflow enables real-time spine positioning and analysis in multicenter study

HKU launches school of innovation to reimagine talent development for Hong Kong’s innovation future

Ion channels inside cells were manipulating the cytoskeleton

Graphene aerogel‑based flexible pressure sensor for physiological signal detection and human–machine interaction

Tranexamic acid prevents severe bleeding in caesarean births

Refugees reveal hidden trauma of life in the UK

New drug approval pathway benefits industry over patients, argues expert

Review shows that obesity drugs and obesity surgery lead to a higher proportion of fat-free mass loss than diet and exercise interventions

Semaglutide effective for severe obesity even in young people who have been treatment resistant for many years, finds randomised controlled trial

The 28th European Congress of Endocrinology (ECE) hosts the largest gathering of endocrine specialists in Europe

Study shows that people who gain the most weight are at more than double the risk of certain cancers

Study suggests muscle mass preserved after obesity drug treatment

How understanding art history can help doctors treat obesity – and why “GLP-1 face” will likely feature in future artwork

The liver’s immune cells might be the key to curing hepatitis B

Higher BMI is associated with more financial problems, loneliness, and stress

Hmeidat, Hubbard named outstanding manufacturing engineers

Global hypertension study finds fight against high blood pressure falling short

Biodegradable sensors attached to plants detect pesticides in three minutes

Low-performing organisations more likely to look outside for knowledge, study shows

A faster, smarter ground station for crowded skies

April research news from the Ecological Society of America

Reducing fear is critical for improving trust in law enforcement, MSU study finds

Austrian trailblazer receives top award for women in computing

The dam dilemma: How to build dams to best protect community, environment

Researchers document PFAS in Great Lakes rain and snow

Even at low concentrations in the air, particulate matter increases hospitalizations for kidney disease

Red meat: Evolution’s double-edged sword

How does pregnancy affect myasthenia gravis?

UMass Chan scientists develop gene editing technology capable of rewriting entire chapters of the genome

Alzheimer's therapeutic breakthroughs may be financially inaccessible, warns Trinity College Dublin

New method to carry out long term climate simulations at fraction of cost

Simon Fraser University launches $20M fund with InBC to invest in spin-off ventures

New McMaster-made drug candidate shows promise as a brain cancer treatment

SETI Institute to honor Dr. Matthew Tiscareno with 2026 Carl Sagan Center Director’s Award

When the Schuylkill swallowed the city: Lessons from Hurricane Ida’s historic flood

Study validates accuracy of depression screening for people with chronic pain

Study unveils precise way to rewire brain circuits to boost resilience to stress

Researchers document rice plants trapping and killing fall armyworm caterpillars

To create change, new leaders should read the room

Simulating the future of medicine: How virtual clinical trials could transform drug development

Precision DNA editing targets root cause of severe childhood epilepsy in preclinical study

Wearable polygraph detects hidden stress

Illinois study: Can designer biochar pellets help manage phosphorus in agricultural fields?

More selective breeding might help flat-faced dogs to breathe easier

Stephanie Plaza-Torres named 2026–2027 GSA-USGS Congressional Science Fellow as program marks 40 years

New study explores how to improve diagnosis of a frequently missed heart condition

Hereditary epilepsy successfully treated in mouse model

Genetic link between cannabis use and psychosis could help to identify those most at risk

UC Irvine researchers invent a wearable sweat sensor for long-term health monitoring

The life story of the critically endangered Rice's whale, estimated to have just 50 remaining adults, is evidenced in new analysis of the hormones it stores in its baleen throughout its life

Comparing AI anatomy segmentation models when ground truth is missing

The first domesticated horses: 6,000 years of a complex story

Prehistoric Danish people continued to eat fish and hunt even after the rise of agriculture

Researchers challenge ‘propagation of medical equipment graveyards’ in Global South to help prosthetics patients

From molecules to meaning: A search engine for the chemistry of life

How water fleas detect their predators

Slower winds help grasslands enhance carbon gain while saving water

Mayo Clinic researchers identify molecule linked to treatment-resistant inflammatory bowel disease

Neanderthal dentists used stone drills to treat cavities nearly 60,000 years ago

BU researchers awarded $2.9M to investigate brain mechanisms that drive alcohol use disorder

Researchers aim to understand how chronic alcohol exposure changes the brain's stress circuitry, with potential breakthroughs in treating AUD. Advanced neuroscience approaches will be used to examine PACAP's role in excessive drinking, anxiety-like behaviors, and pain sensitivity.

Peruvian hairless dogs discovered at ancient site

A new study published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology provides physical evidence of Peruvian hairless dogs from the Wari Empire site of Castillo de Huarmey. The site, located on the Pacific coast of northern Peru, yielded dog skeletal remains that were analyzed using standard zooarchaeological methods and isotopic analysis.

FAU study maps first brain blueprint of a fly’s split-second great escape

A new study at Florida Atlantic University maps the neural wiring system linked to a fly's split-second escape behaviors, revealing a decentralized communication strategy. The findings provide insight into how brains process information at extraordinary speed and may represent a conserved blueprint shared across species.

Sustainable electrosynthesis enables production of amines directly from airborne nitrogen

Scientists have created an electrochemical strategy capable of producing amines directly from molecular nitrogen, eliminating complex chemical processes and reducing energy consumption. The new method uses a catalyst to facilitate the conversion of N2 into nitrogen-containing organic molecules.

BU medical students receive awards at Massachusetts Medical Society Research Poster Symposium

Boston University medical students won awards at the Massachusetts Medical Society Research Poster Symposium for their innovative research projects. The top winners presented posters on various topics including AI-driven referrals and cardiovascular research.

UW researchers decipher beluga calls to bolster conservation efforts

Researchers at the University of Washington decoded over 1,700 beluga whale calls in Cook Inlet, revealing insights into their social behavior, communication patterns, and vulnerability to human noise. The study suggests that shipping noise may be disrupting critical calf-mother communication, threatening the population's recovery.

A timeline of destruction and discovery: 180 years of “plant destroyer” research

Researchers tracing the journey of Phytophthora infestans, a plant destroyer behind Ireland's Irish Potato Famine, explore its taxonomy and identification from early microscopy to genomic technologies. Advances in science strengthen efforts to monitor and manage destructive plant diseases.

Genetic risk of schizophrenia manifests in early adolescence, study shows

Children with high genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia show decreases in frontal cortical surface area during early adolescence, contrasting with regional expansion in those with low genetic susceptibility. This suggests neurodevelopmental deviations prior to symptom onset.

Water-assisted alignment plus secondary cold lsostatic pressing: achieving high-performance pure h-BN ceramics by pressureless sintering

Rice researchers develop realistic ‘mock’ samples to speed cervical cancer test development

A team of Rice University bioengineers has developed a new way to create highly realistic mock patient samples that could help accelerate the development of faster and more accessible cervical cancer screening tests. The approach combines multiple factors, including viral DNA levels and cell counts, to mimic real clinical specimens.

Understanding the health paradox: Study explores factors influencing white men’s well-being

A new analysis suggests that shifts in the economic landscape and changing social roles can act as stressors impacting long-term health. The study proposes that more diverse and flexible social expectations for men could lead to better health outcomes across all populations.

Scientists build high-performance hydrogen separation membranes with "mortar-and-brick" design

A new composite membrane leveraging metal-organic framework induced hetero-nucleation achieves exceptional hydrogen separation performance. The membrane exhibits a 562% enhancement in hydrogen permeance and maintains high selectivity under pressure.

Small seabirds rely on crosswinds to navigate the open ocean

A new study reveals that storm petrels deliberately seek crosswinds while flying hundreds of kilometers across the sea, slowing their flight but gaining vital information through smell. This unexpected strategy highlights the adaptability of seabirds in exploiting wind patterns to survive above the open ocean.

Head and neck tumors: Modern imaging provides clues to aggressive progression

A study by Medical University of Vienna shows that PET/CT scans can detect aggressive forms of head and neck cancer at an early stage due to specific patterns reflecting biological activity. Modern imaging helps identify targeted treatment strategies for a type of cancer difficult to treat.

Soil also suffers from heat waves: organic waste used to boost its tolerance to 50 degrees Celsius

Researchers found that adding organic matter can increase soil resistance to heat waves and preserve phosphorus reserves. Organic amendments like olive pomace proved effective in boosting soil resilience.

Visual measure of illness perception paints a picture of quality of life

A new study suggests that a visual measure of illness perception can effectively convey symptom-related quality of life for patients with chronic lung illnesses. The study found that patients' visual perceptions of their lung disease were equally effective as standard questionnaires and test results in predicting quality of life.

How songbirds learn to sing, one brain connection at a time

Researchers pinpoint a specific connection in the brain where song learning first occurs, finding that it hinges on a highly organized process involving a single type of synapse. The study sheds light on how songbirds learn to vocalize by imitating a tutor and shares similarities with human language development.

Major hurdle in photovoltaic technologies surpassed with use of hydrazide indole additive

The use of 1H-indole-3-carbohydrazide in perovskite solar cells has successfully alleviated the major obstacle of defect-induced nonradiative recombination, leading to improved stability and power conversion efficiency. This additive achieves a critical balance between high performance and long-term durability.

CODA supports international collaboration between Stellenbosch University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology to advance microvascular research in complex chronic disorders

Scientists design "hydrophobic-zincophilic" interface to unlock ultra-stable zinc-ion batteries

Researchers developed a dual-functional coating composed of palladium nanoparticles on a graphitic carbon nitride matrix, which blocks water-induced corrosion and regulates zinc deposition at the atomic level. This 'hydrophobic-zincophilic' design provides a generalizable strategy for high-performance, long-lasting zinc-ion batteries.

Synergistically enhances piezoelectricity and resistivity of high temperature 0.3Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9-0.7Bi3TiNbO9 ceramics by (W,Cr) co-doping

Researchers successfully fabricated W,Cr co-doped 0.3Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9-0.7Bi3TiNbO9 ceramics, elevating piezoelectric constant to 20.3 pC/N and resistivity to 7.3×10^7 Ω·cm. This is attributed to the incorporation of W/Cr ions disrupting the crystal lattice and generating stable domain structures.

Rare laryngeal leiomyosarcoma successfully treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy

A rare case of high-grade laryngeal leiomyosarcoma was successfully treated with extended laryngectomy, left neck dissection, and adjuvant chemotherapy. Complete surgical excision remains the cornerstone of therapy, while multidisciplinary-guided adjuvant treatment may benefit selected high-grade or high-risk patients.

Blood pressure drug can reduce arterial stiffening

Researchers found that amiloride, a common blood pressure medication, improves artery flexibility and lowers blood sugar levels in patients with obesity. The study suggests that amiloride could be a potential strategy to reduce arterial stiffening and cardiovascular risk in these patients.

Insight | Eye Discovery: How AI + multimodal data is redefining the ophthalmic diagnostic paradigm

The article discusses how AI is unlocking hidden potential in multimodal ophthalmic datasets, enabling high-precision screening and early detection of eye diseases. It highlights the integration of various imaging modalities and non-imaging data types to provide a comprehensive diagnostic framework.

Crystalline Ni3S2 nanorods tuned by low‑crystalline NiCoSx with built‑in electric field for efficient overall water splitting

Researchers develop high-performance, bifunctional electrocatalyst using crystalline Ni3S2 nanorods and low-crystalline NiCoSx, enabling efficient overall water splitting. The catalyst's built-in electric field promotes faster electron transfer and optimizes adsorption energies.

Experts call on WHO to revisit its approach to airborne risk in light of hantavirus outbreak

Experts are calling on the World Health Organization (WHO) to adopt a more precautionary approach in responding to emerging respiratory viruses. The recent hantavirus outbreak, which has resulted in three deaths and several cases, highlights the need for improved ventilation, respirator use, and portable HEPA filtration.

Winship administers first U.S. dose of investigational in vivo CAR-T therapy in multiple myeloma trial

Researchers at Winship Cancer Institute have administered the first investigational in vivo CAR-T cell therapy in the US for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, marking a significant milestone in next-generation cellular therapies. The therapy aims to streamline treatment processes and eliminate delays in care.

The strong coordination effect on FeNi-MOF derived catalyst for durable oxygen evolution reaction over 3000 h at operando condition

Mouth stem cells could help beat brain cancer defences

Researchers found that mouth stem cell proteins can slow down aggressive brain cancer growth, reduce tumour size and enhance chemotherapy effectiveness. The study suggests a new strategy to disrupt the body's defense systems against cancer.

CHEST and APCCMPD announce recipient of 2026 Collaborative Fellow Scholarship

Matthew Simpson, MD, receives 2026 Collaborative Fellow Scholarship from CHEST and APCCMPD to improve diversity in medical education. He aims to develop innovative approaches to teaching and mentorship.

Digging deeper: The overlooked carbon fortress beneath our feet

A comprehensive review reveals that deep soil layers store over 50-60% of the total carbon in top meter of soil. The subsoil environment is characterized by low oxygen and limited microbial activity, making it a stable target for long-term carbon removal strategies.

OICR supports four new studies seeking cancer insights from existing patient samples and data

Four new OICR-funded studies using CATALYST will advance cancer insights by reanalyzing existing patient samples and data. The initiatives aim to improve cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment by building on previous research.

Closed-loop recycling: Improving plastics recycling from end-of-life vehicles

Whip it good: How Olympic weightlifting relies on a barbell’s ‘whip’ #ASA190

How effective are torpedo bats, exactly? #ASA190

Combined short-term effects of air pollutants linked to 146,500 premature deaths per year in Europe

Pragmatic parental support to mitigate burnout among pregnant and postpartum trainees

A simple X-ray measure linked to survival in lung cancer surgery patients

Popular weight loss and anti-inflammatory drugs may help prevent common heart rhythm disorder

Asymmetric droplet coalescence on fibers reveals mechanisms of secondary droplet formation

Of the geometry of light

Too little sleep—and too much—associated with faster aging

Young intrepid researcher uncovers hidden diversity in snow and glacier ecosystems across remote Antarctic island

Microwave‑assisted method enables rapid, robust zeolite coatings on silicon carbide supports

Parental support package dramatically reduced burnout in child-bearing physician trainees

Surrounded by stardust

The goal of a Tobacco-Free Generation will not progress without stronger EU support

National coalition announces initiative to help community pharmacies expand HIV prevention services

Chinese Neurosurgical Journal reports KRAS gene as key driver for brain arteriovenous malformation

Sunlight and PVC pipes create a hidden driver of antibiotic resistance

Pediatric surgery program cuts opioid use by 56%

Diseases can spread between apartments via shared ventilation, study shows

Researchers reveal new clues about H. erectus evolution while advancing paleoproteomics

The Chinese Children's Congenital Heart Disease Genome Research Project identifies novel pathogenic genes and elucidates genetic mechanisms

When heavy fermions meet ferromagnetism: Giant transverse charge and heat responses in CeCrGe₃

Study may help predict response to chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer

Patients with congenital heart defects are more likely to suffer a heart attack at an earlier age

The secret sauce for sweeter, stronger crops | Fungus-powered farming: Bigger harvests, better taste

Researchers “reprogram” materials by quickly rearranging their atoms

Applying bundles of best practices improves outcomes of pediatric surgery, clinical trial finds

Non-coding gene linked to core social and behavioral traits in Autism, major SickKids-led study finds

Everyday air pollution linked to poorer brain function, study finds

Providing a cellular ‘all-clear’ signal to resume protein synthesis

Honeybees teach drones how to navigate

Wine’s leftovers could help wean chicken farms off antibiotics

Thermal ‘tug-of-war’ enables memory with 66× lower energy consumption

Governments may shape what AI chatbots say by shaping the web they learn from, new Nature study finds

Meet the semiconductor that stretches like a rubber band and heals itself — no sci-fi required

From plastic waste to chemical building blocks: a sustainable path for polyethylene upcycling

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change

Fire that scorched African mountain range was unprecedented in the last 12,000 years, research shows

Researchers identify the mechanism by which genome-doubled tumors evade the immune system in breast cancer

A marine-inspired sunscreen ingredient made by E. coli

New technique could uncover the secrets of ‘ringing’ black holes

Noninvasive brain-computer interfaces are bringing robotic assistance closer to everyday life

Machine learning and big data reshape solid‑state hydrogen storage research

IMDEA Networks participates in the development of the photonic chip of the future

Gold nanoparticles that behave like a liquid

Efficacy of sequential transarterial chemoembolization after stereotactic body radiation therapy versus radiation therapy alone for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

“Equivalent potential” unifies microwave and interface effects to unlock fluid structure control

Bigger and wetter storms mean drier conditions over time

Trends in metabolic bariatric surgery utilization in the era of GLP-1s, 2022-2024

2026 Gutenberg Research Award goes to Bissera Pentcheva

Africa’s young workforce could reshape global growth

Forgotten and isolated: 1.8 million people still vulnerable to Covid 19 face a mental health crisis

Two spacecraft observed both hemispheres of interstellar comet simultaneously

Vortex-induced triboelectric nanogenerator for multidirectional wind energy harvesting enables efficient wind energy harvesting under low wind speed and high humidity

He said, she said: Why men and women experience the world differently #ASA190

Many Americans pessimistic about AI’s impact – and want more regulation

Europe advances genomic surveillance of CCRE with landmark multi-country study

New health security operations center will monitor infectious disease risks during this summer’s World Cup gatherings

Tiny molecules unlock big gains in soil health

Atomic step–terrace ordering enables unprecedented precision in mechanical testing

OIST Innovation Accelerator opens applications for 2027–2028 cohort focused on bioconvergence and sustainability

How bank shocks propagate through production networks

Flu signals in wastewater offer an early warning for community outbreaks

Preoperative VR exposure studied in surgical care at Semmelweis University’s Pediatric Center

Spray and soil: A smart silicon solution for safer rice

Real-world effectiveness and safety of coblopasvir plus sofosbuvir in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection in Wenzhou, Eastern China

Results of major heart study set to save lives, reduce unneeded heart implants

A hidden lubricant in creeping faults? Uncovering the mysteries of aseismic slip

“Even recognizing puddles at night”... KAIST surpasses the limits of autonomous driving​

Increasing seasonal fluctuations in sea level are under-reported, but could have a major impact

Combined short-term effects of air pollutants linked to 146,500 premature deaths per year in Europe

Chromatin-mediated upregulation of Monascus pigments in Talaromyces purpurogenus OUCMDZ-019 via disruption of Ash2

New research explains how babies help their caregivers

Buffalo without lake-effect snow? Ancient iceberg scratches reveal a reverse snowbelt

Successful opening the largest BL3 and ABL3 special labs for the domestic universities and holding a symposium

Longevity-linked APOE2 gene variant helps neurons repair DNA and resist aging

Molecular grappling hooks improve cancer drug targeting and effectiveness

Scientists seek to understand effects of rain falling on snow in the Arctic

Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network expands to 62 centers

Electricity could produce cement with almost no carbon footprint

Rhein attenuates severe acute pancreatitis-associated intestinal injury through pparγ regulating macrophage activation

Blood-based 'ageing clock' predicts dementia risk and earlier onset

American Society for Nutrition Foundation and Novo Nordisk Foundation announce 2026 awardees advancing nutrition and obesity science

Light-Activated Copper(II) Complexes for Efficient anti-Markovnikov Alkene Hydration

Better batteries begin with optimized slurry processing

Using real-time brain signals to predict and prevent attention lapses in kids

Perimenopause may offer a “window of opportunity” for heart disease prevention in women

Storms, dryness accelerate Amazonian forests' biomass turnover

AI generates first complete models of proteins in motion

MIT-MGH team finds a new approach to cancer vaccination that yields more powerful T cells

Penn researchers create AI tool to speed antibiotic discovery

Routine scans may reveal tumor aggressiveness in head and neck cancer – without additional tests

Ultrasound has potential to alter how the brain responds to pain

New study reveals strict selection patterns in social relationships

New AI closes data gaps and shows how extreme weather emerges on Earth

The ionic path to all-solid-state batteries

Rewiring rumination: A targeted brain-based approach to depression

The cinema effect: Turning films into a gateway to science

Osteoporosis could prove deadly in postmenopausal women

Boosting carbon capture performance with laser-engineered MOFs!