Science News Archive May 2026
New Astrobiology special collection explores emerging scientific evidence for land-based origins of life
AI model predicts 10-year stroke risk based on routine cardiology test
Physics in uncharted waters: The mysteries of marine snow
Rare extraluminal esophageal cancer invades spine despite normal endoscopy
Steroid use falls, but creatine use climbs rapidly
Serum extracellular vesicle n-glycome identified as promising non-invasive biosignature for childhood epilepsy
Hidden viruses reshape one of Earth’s largest carbon systems, study finds
UNCG awarded $2 million to grow bioindustrial manufacturing workforce across North Carolina
Why babies are dying and how we can stop it
Ruthenium nano-TSV and all-dry SOI thinning advance backside power delivery
BESPIN Regional Trialogue for Europe and Central Asia
How tissues tune immune responses to match the threat
Not just an energy drink: National study finds kratom use is rising
UT MD Anderson shares latest research breakthroughs
Houston Methodist researchers develop AI platform to decode how cells ‘talk’ in cancer, Alzheimer's and other complex diseases
A new method could help Washington shellfish farmers control a pesky shrimp
LAMECS 2026 set to bring the next generation of microbiologists to Manchester
UC San Diego researchers shine a light on peripheral artery disease
New antiviral strategy against SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen responsible for causing COVID-19 disease
Gallbladder tumor biology may affect survival
NTU Singapore scientists develop near-invisible solar cells that could turn windows into power generators
Synthetic biology leads to recyclable textiles: Engineered protein fibers for a cleaner future
A fresh approach to peppermint
Restructuring hospitals to help the elderly
Researchers at Kyoto University found that hospital restructuring improved local capacity for elderly hospital admissions and enabled more efficient bed management. The study suggests that reorganization can alleviate regional healthcare disparities in the elderly population.
Mathematical analysis reveals a hidden “golden rule” in abstract art
Researchers applied topological methods to distinguish between genuine and fake abstract artworks. They found that the structure of the compositions corresponds with how people perceive them. The study proposes an intuitive mathematical 'golden rule' for structuring art.
Improved genetic quality control required to ensure mouse models’ rigor
A recent study found nearly half of mouse strains held by major research repositories showed discrepancies between their reported identities and actual genetic profiles. This highlights a critical gap in genetic quality control (GQC), which can undermine experimental validity and reproducibility.
Young people are aware of and normalize hidden design features of video games that encourage spending
A study by UOC researchers reveals that young people are not fooled by monetization systems in video games; they often accept them as part of the gaming experience. The study highlights various systems that encourage consumption, such as loot boxes and virtual currencies, and shows a consistent relationship between these mechanisms and...
Study finds no link between first trimester pain reliever use and birth defects
A large Israeli pregnancy registry study found no association between first-trimester nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and major congenital malformations. The study analyzed over 264,000 pregnancies and found no increased risk of birth defects, even at higher doses.
Your retina's biological age might indicate osteoporosis risk
A study found that accelerated retinal aging is associated with lower bone mineral density and an increased risk of fractures. The researchers developed a method to estimate biological age in the retina, which can predict incident osteoporosis.
How to see the invisible? The limits of two-photon vision
Researchers investigated the effect of laser-beam diameter on two-photon stimuli and found that accurate focusing is crucial for detection. The study revealed that beam geometry plays a key role in determining visibility thresholds, with precise alignment necessary to maximize photon density reaching the retina.
Measuring SARS-CoV-2 diversity in wastewater improves disease surveillance
Researchers report that tracking genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater improves disease surveillance and prediction of COVID-19 outbreaks. The new approach offers a powerful predictive tool for public health, providing earlier and more accurate insight into emerging waves of infection.
USAID cuts triggered sharp increase in violent conflict across Africa
A new study finds that sudden withdrawal of US aid leads to significant increases in violent conflict, armed clashes, and protests in regions with substantial US support. Local institutional strength mitigates these effects, while weaker states are more prone to increased conflict.
Which medicines can most affect driving?
Researchers developed a new scale to estimate the risk of using medicines while driving, combining factors such as adverse effects and dosage. The FMB scale offers greater resolution than existing systems like DRUID, allowing for more precise identification of medicines with similar profiles.
Prickly pears show promise as the building materials of tomorrow
Centimeter-scale piezo robots offer new reconfiguration solutions
Researchers have developed centimeter-scale reconfigurable piezoelectric robots with a built-in-ceramic actuation unit, enabling fast response, simple structure, and no transmission mechanisms. The robots achieve high speeds and carry heavy loads, making them suitable for environmental exploration and confined-space detection.
Implantable living materials autonomously deliver therapeutics using contained engineered bacteria
Researchers have introduced an implantable 'living material' that contains bacteria sensing infections and releasing therapeutic molecules on demand. Engineered living cells can autonomously sense disease and deliver treatment directly at affected sites, offering a new class of medicine that sustains itself in vivo.
A smarter way to measure how streams clean themselves
A new approach using Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics offers a direct fix for estimating nutrient uptake length in streams. The zero-order method substantially outperforms the first-order approach under saturation, providing more accurate estimates of stream filtration capacity.
IgG glycan absolute quantification offers new path to biological age prediction
Researchers have developed a new method to predict biological age using absolute IgG glycan quantification. The study found that specific glycans, such as GP3 and GP8, are associated with aging and that modifying IgG with youthful glycans can alleviate aging-related declines.
KAIST develops real-time diagnostic smart dressing patch to end the fear of diabetic foot amputation
A real-time diagnostic smart dressing patch has been developed by KAIST to monitor diabetic foot wounds. The patch combines an optoelectronic sensor with a functional dressing to analyze glucose concentration, acidity, and temperature changes in real-time, enabling patients to check their condition using a smartphone.