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Science News for May 28, 2026


Turning pulp-waste lignin into high-performance wood adhesives

The study reports a green ion-exchange, self-catalytic strategy for turning pulp-waste lignin into high-performance wood adhesives. The optimized LA/CA adhesive showed strong dry and wet performance, meeting Type I plywood requirements and reducing costs by up to 69.6% compared to petrochemical-based adhesives.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateMay 28, 2026

Drug slows progression of MS

A major clinical trial found ocrelizumab significantly slows disability progression and preserves hand and upper-limb function in people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. The study included over 1,000 patients across 22 countries and showed a 30% lower risk of disability progression.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 28, 2026

Heron-like, fish-eating dinosaur from 70 million years ago discovered in Argentina

A new species of raptor-like dinosaur, Kank australis, has been unearthed from southern Patagonia, Argentina, and is believed to have grown up to three meters long. The discovery provides insight into the fish-eating habits of theropod dinosaurs, challenging common portrayals of raptors as terrestrial predators.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 28, 2026

Pandemic loan fraud pumped housing prices

Research from the University of Texas at Austin found that pandemic loan fraud explained 22.5% of average housing price increases in 2020-2021. This type of fraud hurt individuals who bought houses at inflated prices, and had secondary effects on auto title registrations and other economic indicators.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Financial Economics·DateMay 28, 2026

Water scarcity could undercut U.S. lithium mining

A new Northwestern University study finds that most proposed US lithium mines could face significant water shortages, posing challenges to the country's growing industry. Climate change and competition for resources exacerbate existing water stress in areas like southern California and Nevada.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateMay 28, 2026

Study finds tezepelumab helps patients with severe asthma reduce oral steroid use while maintaining asthma control

The Phase 3 SUNRISE trial shows that tezepelumab nearly triples the likelihood of reducing daily oral corticosteroid dose in patients with severe, oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma. Patients treated with tezepelumab achieve greater reductions in oral steroid use while maintaining asthma control and improving key clinical outcomes.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateMay 28, 2026

Audits help change a chatbot’s bad behavior

A new framework, SUVA, enables organizations to measure and adjust AI chatbots' social preferences, improving their performance in customer complaints and other human-AI interactions. By understanding an LLM's existing tendencies, organizations can decide whether an available model already fits its values and usage scenarios.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateMay 28, 2026

Turning waste into smarter carbon materials for soil and water conservation

Researchers used game theory to identify promising porous carbon materials made from agricultural and industrial waste. The study found that certain samples, such as rice straw-KOH-level 2, performed well in terms of surface area and pore volume, making them suitable for applications in soil amendment, water conservation, and pollutant...

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

Hidden carbon cost of urban construction: excavated soils may be an overlooked source of greenhouse gases

A new study found that excavated urban soils in South Korea emit measurable amounts of CO2 and CH4, highlighting a previously overlooked climate cost. Researchers suggest simple practices like soil capping and biochar amendment could be integrated into construction workflows to mitigate these emissions.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

Creative Destruction Lab launches CDL-Cleveland in partnership with University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University

The CDL Healthcare Delivery stream will support early-stage ventures building technology to reduce costs, improve patient outcomes, and accelerate innovation in real clinical environments. Founders will have access to University Hospitals as a living laboratory, testing their technologies with clinicians and caregivers.

Obesity may influence how breast cancer spreads

Researchers found that obesity alters the biological changes in breast cancer cells, enabling them to survive and thrive. The study's findings could improve prediction and treatment of invasive breast cancer, reducing overtreatment and unnecessary treatments.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

ASCO 2026: Ohio State researchers highlight cancer drug donation program, lung and breast cancer treatment, Lynch syndrome screening, access to clinical trials and more

Researchers from Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center present new findings on a hospital program that redistributes unused oral cancer drugs donated by patients. The program helps patients avoid treatment delays caused by insurance issues, shipping problems or cost, and has been shown to reduce drug delays by six days.

Biobased spintronics

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have developed biobased spintronics using iron, cellulose, and starch to create sustainable magnetic field sensors. These sensors achieve levels of sensitivity comparable to commercial solutions and can be safely degraded or recycled.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

Novel reactive ink prints as everlasting copper

Researchers developed a liquid reactive ink that can print copper onto surfaces without oxidation or corrosion, enabling faster, cheaper, and more sustainable electronic production. The breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the conductive ink industry by replacing expensive metals with copper.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience·DateMay 28, 2026

How farmers respond to climate-related risk

A new study examines farmer risk preferences when dealing with climate impacts, finding that attitudes toward uncertainty vary widely among farmers. The researchers suggest that different types of programs or policies could be targeted to each group, depending on their level of risk aversion and management decisions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association·DateMay 28, 2026

Study explains why the most massive galaxies in the early Universe stopped forming stars prematurely

The study suggests that massive galaxies formed through violent mergers, leading to a rapid burst of star formation and the growth of supermassive black holes. This process prevented these galaxies from producing new stars for over a billion years, leaving them as quiescent galaxies.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateMay 28, 2026

U-M hepatologist hails hepatitis B treatment trial results

Researchers have announced promising results of the B-Well clinical trials, showing that 20% and 19% of patients achieved a functional cure for their chronic hepatitis B infections after 24 weeks of bepirovirsen treatment. This represents a significant step towards developing a curative treatment for the disease.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 28, 2026

Research Spotlight: High-value strategies for communities on the front lines of the opioid crisis

Researchers analyzed data from the HEALing Communities Study to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of community-based interventions for reducing opioid overdose and non-overdose deaths. They found that a combined strategy of improving treatment initiation, retention, and naloxone distribution could reduce opioid overdose deaths by 15-40% ...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 28, 2026

Red dwarf stars detected 'eating' Earth-like planets

Astronomers have found strong evidence that young red dwarf stars can swallow their own nearby planets. The study, published in Monthly Notices of the Astronomical Society, suggests that six different red dwarfs had engulfed Earth-like rocky planets, providing a fresh burst of lithium to their atmospheres.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 28, 2026

Taking a second look at surgery eligibility for patients with lung cancer who smoke

Researchers found that patients who continue to smoke ahead of lung cancer surgery have a higher risk of pulmonary complications. However, their short-term mortality rate is similar to those who were able to stop smoking before surgery. The study suggests physicians reconsider traditional models and consider individualized plans for pa...

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·TypeObservational study·DateMay 28, 2026

AI-powered atlas reveals new insights into tertiary lymphoid structures as prognostic and response biomarkers in cancer

A new study developed a spatial atlas of specialized immune structures, called tertiary lymphoid structures, across multiple cancer types. The atlas revealed that TLS maturation state, spatial location, and composition within tumors provide clinically meaningful information about cancer prognosis and treatment response.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 28, 2026

New research shows human activity can reshape dolphin social lives

A study published in Animal Behaviour found that bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay associate more with others using human-centric foraging tactics. Human activities like foraging and red tide events influence dolphin social structure. The research suggests changes in social networks can have lasting consequences.

SourceBrookfield Zoo·JournalAnimal Behaviour·TypeObservational study·DateMay 28, 2026

Oceanic Regime shifts affect subarctic moth communities — Impacts divide species into winners and losers

A recent study found that oceanic regime shifts are affecting subarctic moth communities, with some species benefiting from warmer temperatures while others decline. The study, conducted at the University of Turku in Finland, suggests that moths play a crucial role in the fragile subarctic ecosystems, and their populations can fluctuat...

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalInsect Conservation and Diversity·DateMay 28, 2026

New study characterizes the dynamics of brain transposable element RNAs during normal life span and in neurodegenerative disorders

Researchers discovered that transposable elements are actively expressed in human brains as large RNAs, which can be processed into small RNAs. The study found that Huntington's disease impacts transposon small RNA expression, while Parkinson's exerts a stronger impact on transposon large RNAs.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalGenome Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 28, 2026

HKMU researchers secure over HK$3.4 million to develop first Cantonese post-drinking speech detection system

Researchers from Hong Kong Metropolitan University are developing a novel Cantonese post-drinking speech detection system using artificial intelligence. The system will analyze multiple indicators, including speech rate and grammatical structure deviations, to compare users' language performance before and after alcohol consumption.

SourceHong Kong Metropolitan University·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

AI suggests simple food swaps to make meals healthier and cheaper

A new study published in PLOS Digital Health identifies simple food substitutions that can improve meal nutritional quality and lower costs. By analyzing 135,491 meal records, researchers trained an AI model to suggest one to three ingredient swaps, resulting in a 10% improvement in nutritional quality and a 22-34% reduction in costs.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

Supermarket receipts show trends in menstrual pain relief

A study of 211 million supermarket transactions found that 26.7% of customers who bought menstrual products also purchased pain relief, a trend linked to income level. The analysis highlights the need for greater awareness and policy interventions to address menstrual pain disparities.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeObservational study·DateMay 28, 2026

AI can mass-produce finance research papers indistinguishable from human work

A new study shows AI can generate hundreds of convincing finance research papers efficiently, but also raises concerns about the potential impact on academic community and meaning of scientific discovery. The study demonstrates how AI can accelerate research paper production while highlighting areas for improvement in peer-review systems.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Economic Literature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 28, 2026

Soil vapor transport improves soil moisture simulations in drylands

Researchers introduced a simplified soil vapor transport scheme to address a common issue in conventional land-surface models, which struggle to realistically represent soil drying in arid regions. The revised model produces more realistic drying in near-surface soil layers by representing the movement of water vapor through soil pores.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMay 28, 2026

Similar timing and pattern: Seven European countries observe drop in chlamydia notifications especially among young people in 2024

Chlamydia notifications decreased in seven European countries, with significant declines among young people. The decline was mainly seen in Sweden, Denmark, England, Finland, Ireland, Norway and the Netherlands, with case numbers dropping by up to 32% in some countries.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 28, 2026

Cannabis use does not lower testosterone

A new study by UNIGE and SCAHT reveals that cannabis use is associated with an increase in testosterone levels, particularly in the testes. However, this increase does not appear to have a direct link to fertility, and further research is needed to determine potential long-term effects.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeNews article·DateMay 28, 2026

New international study highlights impact of restrained sitting on movement behaviors in young children

A new study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport found that most children meet guidelines for restrained sitting, but urban children and those with more vehicle time are less likely to meet the guideline. Higher levels of physical activity were associated with greater likelihood of meeting the recommended guideline.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalJournal of Science and Medicine in Sport·TypeSurvey·DateMay 28, 2026

What an illusion involving a fake hand can tell us about our mind-body connection

A study by McGill University researchers found that individuals with a weaker sense of self are more likely to experience less bodily awareness. The 'rubber hand illusion' experiment replicated previous findings, revealing the connection between mind-body perceptions and self-concept clarity.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCanadian Journal of Experimental Psychology/Revue canadienne de psychologie expérimentale·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

A new AI model enables more efficient analysis of colorectal cancer samples

Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä have developed an AI model that can analyze colorectal cancer samples more efficiently and accurately predict the functioning of the cells' DNA repair mechanism. This could lead to shorter diagnosis times, reduced costs, and improved analysis accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalComputer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine·DateMay 28, 2026

Multinational firms drive growth but can come with steep environmental costs, study finds

A new study by University of British Columbia researchers links multinational activity to greater deforestation and biodiversity loss in Africa. Multinational firms are found to have a much larger environmental impact than domestic firms, driven by factors such as sector concentration and the 'pollution haven' effect.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 28, 2026

The mystery of Utah’s deep quakes

Researchers confirmed locations for nine well-below-Earth's-crust deep earthquakes, proving the existence of continental mantle earthquakes. The study revealed striking patterns, including extremely high temperatures and a heterogeneous structure in the Wyoming Craton.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalThe Seismic Record·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 28, 2026

Lanzhou Jiaotong University researchers develop sustainable wastewater-powered electricity generator system

Lanzhou Jiaotong University researchers developed a droplet-based energy harvesting technology that converts secondary wastewater effluents into electricity. The system achieved high output performance and successfully powered LED lights, demonstrating its practical energy harvesting capability.

SourceEditorial Office of Journal of Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Environmental Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

New study points to possible new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers at Aarhus University discovered a new compound, 4-octyl itaconate, that inhibits inflammation in joints by activating the body's anti-inflammatory system. This treatment targets synoviocytes instead of immune cells, offering a promising new option for patients with severe or treatment-resistant rheumatoid arthritis.

SourceAarhus University·JournalEULAR Rheumatology Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 28, 2026

Mount Sinai scientists validate a link between autoimmunity in a subset of people with long COVID

Researchers at Mount Sinai have found that autoimmunity is responsible for the symptoms of long COVID in a subset of people. The study suggests that therapies already validated for managing autoimmunity, such as IVIG and FcRn inhibitors, could be effective in reducing symptom burden.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalCell·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 28, 2026

Dual rare-earth modification and interface engineering in SiC based heterostructures for multi-frequency electromagnetic wave absorption

Researchers develop SiC-based absorbers via dual rare-earth synergistic engineering, achieving remarkable reflection loss values and excellent impedance matching characteristics. The material exhibits distinct polarization loss peaks in low, medium, and high frequency bands.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Advanced Ceramics·DateMay 28, 2026

JMIR Report: Lab-grown brain organoids power biocomputers

Biocomputing harnesses human brain cells to perform computational functions, with applications in energy-efficient computing, drug discovery, and neuromorphic engineering. Early developments in biocomputing hold promise for biomedical research, despite ongoing bioethical concerns.

SourceJMIR Publications·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 28, 2026

Researchers identify new target to prevent aggressive form of prostate cancer

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified Sirtuin 1 as a key driver of neuroendocrine prostate cancer, an aggressive form of the disease. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of Sirtuin 1 prevents tumor growth in mice and lays the groundwork for future clinical studies aimed at developing new treatments.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

Scientists show how baby stars’ cradles get their radial shape

Researchers at Kyushu University used 3D computer simulations to understand the physics behind hub-and-spoke patterns in star-forming regions. The study shows that oblique shocks create invisible channels guiding compressed gas into central filaments, forming the radial shape of baby stars' cradles.

SourceKyushu University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 28, 2026

Data explosion in AI era: PolyU leads breakthroughs in protein-based data storage, delivering high storage capacity, strong stability and encryption capabilities 15 May 2026 Research and Innovation

Researchers at PolyU have pioneered a method to store digital data using engineered proteins, achieving high storage efficiency and capacity. They overcame challenges of variable amino acid sequences and degraded proteins by designing a protein template, successfully expressing and retrieving data.

SourceThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 28, 2026

The human gaze speaks to children, who remain insensitive to the gaze of humanoid robots.

A study published in the International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction found that preschoolers attribute preferences in response to human gaze but struggle with robotic gaze. The research highlights the importance of designing richer interactions for children, beyond just imitating human signals.

SourceUniversita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore·JournalInternational Journal of Child-Computer Interaction·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

Ultra-high piezoelectric properties of BiFeO3-BaTiO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics enabled by a one-step sintering process

Researchers developed a novel one-step sintering method to overcome challenges in BiFeO3-BaTiO3 lead-free piezoceramics. The new approach simplified the fabrication process, dramatically improving reproducibility and performance. The resulting ceramics exhibit exceptional electromechanical properties.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Advanced Ceramics·DateMay 28, 2026

Beyond fences: Africa’s biodiversity depends on working landscapes, not just protected areas

A new commentary reveals that most of Africa's biodiversity persists outside formal protected areas, challenging the reliance on fenced reserves and policies like the 30×30 target. Working landscapes, shaped by centuries of human-nature coexistence, often retain higher ecological connectivity and resilience to climate change.

SourceSouth China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalBiological Diversity·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 28, 2026

Routine heart test can track how kids grow and mature, new study finds

Researchers developed an AI-based score from standard ECGs that reflect biological development on a spectrum rather than in fixed categories. The Electrocardiographic Sex Index (ESI) captures step-by-step changes of normal growth and hormonal changes, offering a more precise way to account for developmental stage.

SourceWake Forest University School of Medicine·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 28, 2026

Simple training can save lives by keeping medical supplies on the shelves, UT San Antonio researcher finds

A recent study from UT San Antonio reveals that low-cost on-the-job training for frontline health workers can significantly reduce medical supply shortages, resulting in a 30% reduction in stock-outs. This training has the potential to save thousands of lives globally by preventing unintended pregnancies and maternal and newborn deaths.

Heat lingers on in our cells

New research reveals that cells slow down heat dissipation due to unique biomolecules, changing our understanding of heat conduction. This phenomenon could affect treatments for conditions linked to body temperature changes.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

Weighing newborn planets using their dusty fingerprints

Astronomers have developed a novel method to estimate the masses of newborn planets using the properties of dust rings around stars. By analyzing the width, brightness peak location, and dust content of these ring structures, researchers can reconstruct planet masses even when those planets are too faint or embedded to observe directly.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

Sensitivity of Antarctic ice to climate change sharply increased after Ice Age shift 1 million years ago

A new study reveals that the Antarctic ice sheet responded sharply to climate change following a major shift in Earth's ice age cycles. The simulation found that below a critical atmospheric CO2 level, the amplitude of Antarctic ice variations increases in response to changes in temperatures.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 28, 2026

A new approach to urban planning with less car traffic and lower carbon emissions

A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research finds that reducing car commutes can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. By targeting densification of neighborhoods around city centers, planners can reduce emissions and create more sustainable urban environments.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 28, 2026

Disco lasers improve the safety of snow groomers

Researchers developed a disco laser system to enhance data visualization for snow groomers, improving operator comfort and reducing nausea caused by VR headsets. The system also enables better tracking and orientation aids, leading to more efficient and safe operation in challenging conditions.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalComputers & Graphics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 28, 2026

New metamaterial guides vibrations along predefined paths

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel phononic metamaterial that can precisely control mechanical waves, enabling the harvesting of energy from vibrations and processing signals mechanically. The material features a specific pattern with varying unit cell sizes, allowing it to redirect waves along predefined paths.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMay 28, 2026

Nutrition’s role in chronic fatigue

A study published in Nutrients found associations between high homocysteine levels and fatigue-related outcomes, including physical fatigue in men and decreased motivation in women. Maintaining a well-balanced diet rich in vitamin B12 and folate is essential to prevent homocysteine level increases.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalNutrients·TypeObservational study·DateMay 28, 2026

Scars of life: study shows impact of atopic dermatitis on educational and career choices

A novel study shows that adults with atopic dermatitis, particularly those with childhood onset, report significantly greater limitations in their educational and professional choices. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive, early, and multidimensional care to address the long-term impact of AD on life trajectories.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·TypeSurvey·DateMay 28, 2026