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Science News for May 26, 2026


AI powered multi scale data integration paves the way for precision exercise biomedicine

Artificial intelligence can bridge the gap between rich multi-scale data generated by modern exercise biomedicine and urgent clinical need for tailored exercise prescriptions. Four key AI modeling paradigms, including time series learning, multimodal fusion, causal inference, and reinforcement learning, are examined.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalTranslational Exercise Biomedicine·TypeNews article·DateMay 26, 2026

Electrical pulses reverse aging in sea squirts, offering clues for extending human longevity

Researchers at Stanford University found that electrical pulses can significantly extend the lifespan of sea squirts by rejuvenating their stem cells. The treatment causes a "reboot and rebound" of gene activity, similar to effects observed in humans after stress and exercise, leading to improved health and longevity.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 26, 2026

KAIST develops AI technology that automatically generates sounds as if a “Jurassic Park” dinosaur were actually walking toward you​

Researchers at KAIST have developed PAVAS, an AI technology that generates realistic sound effects in videos based on the physical properties of objects. The technology analyzes movement and collision characteristics to produce more immersive audio experiences.

Study: AI may help identify cancer survivors at risk for emergency visits, worsening symptoms

A new study from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine suggests that machine learning models using patient-reported outcomes and clinical data can forecast unplanned health care use and elevated symptom burden in cancer survivors. The research offers a potential pathway toward more proactive, personalized survivorship care.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalJCO Clinical Cancer Informatics·DateMay 26, 2026

ICU pneumonia has mortality rates ranging from 37% to nearly 60% in middle-income countries. In high-income countries, rates range from 16% to 26%

A review of nearly 50,000 patients found significantly higher mortality rates for community-acquired pneumonia in intensive care units of middle-income countries compared to high-income countries. The study highlights major inequalities in outcomes and underscores the need for improved healthcare access and quality.

SourceD'Or Institute for Research and Education·JournalNEJM Evidence·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 26, 2026

Regular guava juice consumption may help lower women’s anemia risk

A combination of guava juice and iron supplements is more effective than iron supplements alone in boosting haemoglobin levels, according to a meta-analysis. The study found that regular guava juice consumption can help lower the risk of anaemia in women, particularly those with low vitamin C intake.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 26, 2026

Family physician administrative workload per patient visit increased substantially over 11 years in Canada

A study analyzing Canadian family physicians' electronic health records found a substantial increase in patient contacts and unique patients over the 11-year period, with referral rates rising by 57% and laboratory tests increasing by 29%. The average number of chronic conditions per medical encounter remained stable.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 26, 2026

UCLA studies point to new way to fight potentially deadly Valley Fever

UCLA researchers have found that patients with severe Valley Fever had abnormal immune responses, including overactive or underactive T cells. The team discovered two underlying immune programs that contribute to life-threatening disseminated Valley Fever and developed a new treatment approach using immunomodulation.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJCI Insight·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2026

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities or cerebral palsy experience higher fall-injury risk at younger ages

Research analyzed over 35.8 million emergency department visits to compare fall-related injury risks among adults with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities or cerebral palsy. Adults with these conditions were more likely to visit the emergency department due to falls, especially at younger ages.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 26, 2026

Mayo Clinic study details set of options family medicine physicians may consider to treat ME/CFS and long covid

A Mayo Clinic study analyzed records of 571 adults with ME/CFS and found that family medicine physicians often prescribed common pain-relievers and sleep aids before specialist consultation. The study suggests that these medications may be underutilized for treating core symptoms of ME/CFS, such as fatigue and brain fog.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 26, 2026

Lurie Children’s first in world to offer natural ear reconstruction without prolonged pain after surgery

Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago has successfully eliminated months of postoperative pain for microtia patients through a minimally invasive nerve freezing procedure. The method, which lasts only 20 minutes, allows patients to enjoy natural ear sensation and appearance without prolonged pain or opioid use.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateMay 26, 2026

Accelerating recovery for children with concussion

A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that children who received early, tailored care experienced significant improvements in recovery from concussion. The intervention combined education, physiotherapy, and psychological support, resulting in a 62.5% full recovery rate compared to 37% for those receivin...

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 26, 2026

Hydroxychloroquine may protect people with skin lupus from heart health risks and metabolic complications, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers find

Researchers found that hydroxychloroquine use was associated with better cardiovascular and cardiometabolic health outcomes in patients with discoid lupus erythematosus. The study also found a lower risk of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease among hydroxychloroquine users.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology·DateMay 26, 2026

190,000 baby trees in 25 years: seedling census offers clues to what the future might hold for Michigan forests

A team of researchers led by Michigan State University has been tracking tree seedlings for 25 years to understand their impact on forest resilience. They found that some species are better suited to the changing climate than others, while tree canopy cover can help shelter certain species from extreme weather conditions.

SourceMichigan State University·TypeObservational study·DateMay 26, 2026

It takes two combs to tango

Dual-comb spectroscopy enables precise, rapid, and broadband measurements using two optical frequency combs with slightly different repetition frequencies. This technique has been implemented across the electromagnetic spectrum, from terahertz to visible range, with ongoing efforts towards ultraviolet range.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Reviews Methods Primers·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2026

Insilico Medicine and Human Longevity announce collaboration to co-develop industry-first AI foundation model for longevity science

The collaboration aims to jointly develop a super-intelligence AI foundation model to predict disease risk, diagnose conditions, and discover novel therapeutics. By integrating advanced algorithms with deep biological insights, the models are expected to drive breakthroughs in early detection and personalized interventions for age-rela...

South American Indigenous peoples are diverse and descend from a third wave of migration

A recent study using whole-genome data reveals the complex history of South American Indigenous peoples, with genetic diversity higher in Central America and the Southern Cone. The research also identifies a third wave of migration from Mesoamerica around 1,300 years ago, which challenges previous views about Indigenous groups.

Electroacupuncture combined with spinal neural cell transplantation synergistically promotes nerve regeneration and functional rehabilitation after spinal cord injury

A novel therapeutic paradigm combines electroacupuncture with regenerative tissue engineering to enhance nerve regeneration and functional recovery in spinal cord injury. The study found that electroacupuncture stimulation improved neural signal transmission, suppressed neuroinflammation, and promoted myelin regeneration.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMay 26, 2026

The nocebo effect and the neuroscience behind it

A new study by researchers at the University of Toronto identified a specific brain pathway through which cholecystokinin (CCK) acts to amplify pain in response to negative expectations. This pathway, traveling from the anterior cingulate cortex to the lateral periaqueductal gray, increases pain sensitivity and worsens symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMay 26, 2026

The rise in obesity is leveling off in developed countries, though it continues to rise in developing nations

A large-scale study reveals that obesity rates have slowed and even reversed in many high-income countries, while continuing to rise in developing nations. The analysis, involving over 1,900 researchers and 232 million people across 200 countries, suggests that previous claims of a global obesity epidemic may be an oversimplification.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalNature·TypeCase study·DateMay 26, 2026

Reflective practice has been "disenchanted": New research calls for a return to teacher flourishing and the virtue of phronesis

Researchers argue that reflective practice has lost its ancient meaning under neoliberal governance, advocating for a return to phronesis as virtue. They propose teacher flourishing as the core of pedagogical tact, emphasizing the importance of habituation of virtue in daily practice.

SourceECNU Review of Education·JournalECNU Review of Education·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 26, 2026

Worker bumble bees help determine which baby bee will become queen

A new study reveals that worker bumble bees play a crucial role in determining the sex of baby bees, with juvenile hormone being the key trigger. The researchers found that when workers were treated with the hormone, they passed it to larvae through food, making them more likely to become queens.

SourcePenn State·JournalInsect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 26, 2026

Blood test detects early signs of breast cancer recurrence

Researchers at Lund University developed a blood test that can detect early signs of breast cancer recurrence, providing information on how the disease responds to chemotherapy. The method, called Pathlight, measures small fragments of tumor DNA in blood samples and detected recurrence up to four years before current methods.

SourceLund University·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMay 26, 2026

UC3M researchers discover how tissue acidosis alters the "transport system" inside cells

A new study by UC3M researchers reveals how extracellular acidosis destabilizes microtubules, the 'avenues' that organize internal cellular traffic, leading to disruptions in cellular function. This finding holds significant implications for understanding pathologies like cancer, diabetes, and certain infectious processes.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalJACS·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 26, 2026

Insect wing identifying app to tackle tropical disease threat

A mobile app is being developed to identify disease-carrying insects from their wing patterns using machine learning, aiming to reduce the risk of disease transmission in low-income communities. The technology will enable rapid and accurate identification of vectors, tracing disease clusters and responding effectively to outbreaks.

Hybrid MXene material enables efficient infrared stealth through photothermal conversion

A hybrid Ti3C2Tx/Bi2Se3 material exhibits high-efficiency photothermal conversion and gradually conceals targets in environmental simulations. This work constructs a thermal protection strategy via enhanced photothermal conversion, providing a promising approach for developing advanced stealth technologies.

SourceHEP Data Cooperation Journals·JournalEnergy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2026

From wastes to resources: WVU expands rare earth research to help strengthen America’s domestic critical minerals supply

West Virginia University is launching the WVU Rare Earth Elements Initiative to explore U.S. feedstocks and commercialize AMDREE technology for extracting rare earths from acid mine drainage. The initiative aims to enhance national security interests and economic innovation by securing a domestic supply of critical materials.

SourceWest Virginia University·TypeNews article·DateMay 26, 2026

Understanding extreme states of matter faster

Researchers have developed a new procedure to speed up elaborate computer simulations analyzing matter under extreme conditions. The method, which uses mathematical transformation into imaginary time, enables faster evaluation of X-ray scattering experiments, improving fields like fusion research and laboratory astrophysics.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 26, 2026

CityUHK discovers revolutionary surface design to transform thermal management and enables frictionless systems

A research team at CityUHK has designed a capillary structure that triggers the Leidenfrost effect, offering a practical solution for temperature-regulated heat transfer. The study reveals an ultra-low Leidenfrost point of 110°C, significantly reducing energy input and enabling frictionless motion applications.

Breakthrough in synthetic cell research

Scientists at the University of Stuttgart have developed a synthetic membrane platform that mimics cellular interactions, allowing for coordinated molecular transport and programmable biochemical reactions. This breakthrough enables the creation of artificial compartments with dynamic regulation of membrane permeability, opening up opp...

SourceUniversitaet Stuttgart·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 26, 2026

Scientists uncover DNA’s hidden defence against UV radiation

Researchers discovered that DNA uses multiple ultrafast relaxation pathways involving moving electrons and protons to dissipate energy within femtoseconds, making it remarkably photostable. This complex network of competing processes enhances DNA's ability to safely drain away harmful UV energy before damage can spread.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMay 26, 2026

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

Researchers developed a deep learning framework to classify and profile subcortical vascular cognitive impairment using DTI volumes. The model achieved high accuracy and correlated with neuropsychological scores, enabling stratification of patients by predicted risk of impairment in specific cognitive functions.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalCyborg and Bionic Systems·DateMay 26, 2026

Researchers at Nagoya Institute of Technology reveal new mixing guidelines for dense suspensions

Researchers at Nagoya Institute of Technology have developed new guidelines for mixing dense suspensions, reducing impeller speed and energy requirements. The study's findings suggest that placing the impeller near the solid-liquid interface improves energy efficiency in baffled conditions.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2026

Autistic Australians three times more likely to be homeless

New Flinders University research reveals that autistic Australians are three times more likely to be homeless, with poor communication and sensory sensitivities major contributors. Strong family support is the most powerful protective factor, while targeted training and autism-informed services can significantly reduce homelessness risk.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Social Distress and the Homeless·TypeCase study·DateMay 26, 2026

Wearable ultrasound patch monitors fetal blood flow, detects pregnancy complications in real time

Researchers developed a wearable ultrasound patch to monitor high-risk pregnancies, providing continuous, real-time information about blood flow in the fetus and umbilical cord. The device holds promise for helping doctors detect conditions like intrauterine growth restriction, which affects 10% of all pregnancies.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2026

TIFRH scientists develop IRAA, a transformative strategy for next generation semiconductors

Researchers at TIFRH introduce IRAA, a rapid, additive-free doping strategy that generates self-regenerating active species during the process. This approach eliminates the need for stabilizing additives or prolonged incubation, transforming the field of electronic doping in soft semiconductors.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2026

The economic cost of war in Gaza

A recent study using satellite data measures the economic cost of war in Gaza, revealing that three-quarters of the economy has been destroyed since October 2023. The analysis found a 68.5% drop in night-time light intensity, indicating significant decline in human and economic activities.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMay 26, 2026

Unstable software tests cause issues that spread across projects

Researchers found that over half of projects in the popular OpenStack ecosystem are affected by shared instability from “flaky tests”, resulting in a cumulative loss of 1,156 days of developer time. The study identifies environmental and system-level factors as major causes of test instability.

SourceKyushu University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Software Engineering·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 26, 2026

New species of bizarre, bipedal, toothless crocodile relative from the Triassic discovered

Labrujasuchus expectatus, a bizarre creature with tiny arms and a toothless mouth, has been discovered in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. The species fills the gap between two earlier shuvosaurs, providing insight into convergent evolution and the diversification of ancient animals.

SourceNatural History Museum of Los Angeles County·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 26, 2026

Ice may release more iron than climate models predict

A Umea University study finds that ice actively accelerates the dissolution of iron minerals, potentially releasing more iron than current environmental models account for. This could have significant cascading effects on ecosystems, particularly in polar and mountain regions.

SourceUmea University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2026