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Science News for May 5, 2026


Researchers find virtual reality intervention improves interactions between autistic individuals and police officers

A new virtual reality intervention improved interactions between autistic teens and adults with law enforcement officers, reducing fidgeting and increasing positive behavior. The study showed significant improvements in the virtual reality group compared to a video modeling intervention.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 5, 2026

Computational tools offer new opportunities for understanding catalysis

Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä emphasize the importance of multiscale modeling in understanding and developing electrochemical processes. The study highlights the need for a thorough understanding of methods used and reactions studied, as computational tools can reliably model phenomena on different scales.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 5, 2026

Polymer ‘bristles’ could help repel proteins — and germs — from surfaces in medical settings

Researchers at University of Toronto Engineering have developed a non-toxic coating made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) that prevents proteins from sticking to surfaces. The liquidlike surface covered in PDMS bristles resisted protein adhesion even better than polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateMay 5, 2026

The many forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Researchers uncover role of glia in ALS pathogenesis, finding altered functioning of TDP-43 protein and MYC factor responsible for abnormality. The study provides new anchors to understand clinical heterogeneity of ALS and suggests potential biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalBrain·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2026

As sargassum floods Florida beaches, FIU researchers uncover new use as food-grade ingredient

Researchers at Florida International University have discovered that sargassum seaweed can serve as a valuable ingredient in everyday foods due to its high content of alginate. The study shows extraction yields of roughly 45% and demonstrates the potential for sargassum as an alternative source to traditionally harvested seaweeds.

SourceFlorida International University·JournalFood Hydrocolloids·DateMay 5, 2026

A safe staffing policy for pennsylvania could prevent deaths and produce savings to help fund improved staffing, new study finds

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that safer nurse staffing levels in Pennsylvania hospitals could prevent up to 3,040 hospital deaths annually and reduce costs by an estimated $239 million. The study analyzed data from over 547,000 patients and nearly 2,800 nurses across 132 hospitals statewide.

AI-powered lab discovers brighter lead-free nanomaterials in 12 hours

A new autonomous laboratory named PoLARIS has identified brighter, lead-free light-emitting nanomaterials in just 12 hours. By analyzing the optical properties and adjusting variables, PoLARIS has improved the brightness of these materials, enabling faster discovery of safer optical nanoplatelets for various applications.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2026

Move over cassette tapes, adhesive tape has memory, too

Ordinary adhesive tape stores a sequence of multiple memories with tunable strength, allowing for simple mechanical calculations. Researchers developed an automated device to create these memories by peeling the tape past designated distances.

SourcePenn State·JournalNew Journal of Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2026

AI speeds chemists' search for better disinfectants

Researchers used AI to design new molecules for disinfectants, leveraging a dataset of hundreds of existing quaternary ammonium compounds. The approach yielded 11 promising compounds with activity against antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, offering a potential solution to the growing threat of 'superbugs'.

SourceEmory University·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 5, 2026

Fungi utilize ancient antimicrobial proteins to attack hosts and their microbiomes

Researchers discovered that fungal effector proteins evolved from ancient antimicrobial proteins to weaken host immune systems and manipulate the surrounding microbiome. These findings provide new insights into how fungi attack both hosts and beneficial microorganisms, with potential applications in agriculture and medicine.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2026

Running, weightlifting, or a “combo”? Latest review unveils the “optimal exercise pattern” for cardiovascular health

A systematic review finds that a combination of aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises significantly improves cardiovascular outcomes in healthy adults. The optimal exercise duration is found to be between 40-60 minutes per week, with evening aerobic exercise showing greater health benefits.

SourceScience China Press·JournalMedicine Plus·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 5, 2026

Fair careers in academia

The study found that researchers value the university's commitment to diversity and anti-discrimination measures and are broadly satisfied with their working conditions. However, respondents identified areas for improvement, including the need for structured institutional support and clear procedures to prevent discrimination. The find...

Soil carbon residence time regulates the age of dissolved organic matter in global rivers

A new study reveals that soil carbon residence time governs riverine dissolved organic matter's age, with climate, hydrology, and soil processes controlling carbon cycling in rivers. The research provides a high-resolution global atlas of riverine DOC, showing that ancient carbon sources are locally important but modern terrestrial org...

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 5, 2026

Analyses of human lungs reveal seven subphenotypes of pneumonia

A new study has identified seven distinct subphenotypes of pneumonia based on pulmonary histopathology, revealing different patterns of inflammation and damage in the lungs. These findings suggest a foundation for developing targeted therapies for patients with varying disease profiles.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMay 5, 2026

New toolkit for obesity care helps clinicians integrate lifestyle interventions with obesity medications

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine released a new toolkit to help clinicians integrate lifestyle interventions with obesity medications. The toolkit provides practical guidance and patient education across the full course of medication use, addressing concerns about the lack of adequate lifestyle counseling. It aims to align ra...

How does the body stop bleeding?

Researchers at University of Leeds discover how platelet myosin is normally kept inactive, but genetic mutations push it out of balance leading to disease. This breakthrough sheds light on the role of platelet myosin in blood clotting and shedding new hope for treating bleeding disorders.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateMay 5, 2026

How life could arise from molecules

Complex systems exhibit emergent properties due to water's unique polarity, enabling DNA to store information and proteins to adopt specific structures. This order forms the basis for complex molecules to develop unpredictable properties, driving the evolution of life.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 5, 2026

New survey finds that a majority of Americans are concerned about high blood pressure, the ‘silent killer’

A majority of Americans, 60%, are concerned about high blood pressure, with nearly half having the condition. A new survey found that 65% are willing to try a plant-based diet to manage their blood pressure. Plant-based foods like fruits, veggies, beans, and whole grains can help maintain healthy blood pressure.

How Big Tech’s new health AI assistants are redefining care

The rise of consumer-facing health AI assistants is transforming healthcare access, offering users personalized medical workspaces and real-time lab result interpretation. However, concerns around data privacy and the risk of misdiagnosis highlight the need for caution in this rapidly evolving landscape.

SourceJMIR Publications·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 5, 2026

TGen, City of Hope study surveys dysfunctional gene splicing in metastatic kidney disease

A study by TGen and City of Hope found a significant correlation between tumor splicing burden and clinical response to treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Patients with high splicing burden showed signs of robust immune activation, suggesting the body may be primed to attack cancer cells.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2026

New €2.5 million project seeks to demystify debilitating inherited conditions and pinpoint new treatment options

A new €2.5 million project aims to better understand why people with inherited mitochondrial disorders are more vulnerable to severe infections, which can cause profound neurological impairment and a range of other complications. The project will investigate how harmful mutations in mitochondrial DNA alter the behavior of immune cells.

A new artificial intelligence tool that can generate millions of new molecules

Researchers from Universitat Rovira i Virgili developed an AI tool called CoCoGraph that can generate realistic molecules complying with chemistry laws. The system uses a diffusion model to create plausible structures, resulting in 100% chemically valid molecules, and has been found to be more realistic than other state-of-the-art models.

SourceUniversitat Rovira i Virgili·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 5, 2026

CityUHK physicist leads study revealing that magnetic fields can “revive” superconductivity in nickelates

A research team led by Professor Denver Li Danfeng has discovered a magnetic-field-induced 're-entrant' superconductivity phenomenon in infinite-layer nickelate superconductors. This finding challenges the conventional understanding that magnetic fields suppress superconductivity and opens up new directions for exploring unconventional...

Indigenous Andeans have a digestive superpower; researchers think it may be linked to potatoes

Indigenous people of the Andes have a genetic adaptation that allows them to digest starch more effectively due to their history of potato cultivation. Those with higher numbers of salivary amylase genes had an evolutionary advantage, resulting in an average of 10 copies of the gene in modern-day Peruvian Andeans.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 5, 2026

Board interpersonal diversity linked to lower tax avoidance

Research shows that diverse boards with members from various backgrounds bring new perspectives, strengthen oversight, and reduce aggressive tax avoidance. This leads to more questioning, debate, and closer scrutiny of management decisions, ultimately resulting in more responsible tax behavior.

SourceUniversity of East London·JournalInternational Journal of Finance & Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 5, 2026

Profit alone is a poor measure of success, study shows companies can look efficient while harming the planet

A new study from the University of Surrey shows that firms celebrated for strong financial performance may actually be inefficient when environmental impact is included. The research developed a new way to measure sustainable corporate efficiency, combining traditional financial metrics with environmental data.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalEuropean Journal of Operational Research·TypeObservational study·DateMay 5, 2026

Unified framework for the full hierarchy of topological boundary states in Floquet crystals

Researchers developed a unified topological framework to characterize complex boundary states in Floquet crystals, predicting the existence and type of various topological boundary states. The framework uses three complementary one-dimensional winding numbers to unify the description of multiple boundary orders.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2026

Distinct metabolic signature found in HFpEF

Researchers identified a unique metabolic fingerprint in the hearts of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity. The study reveals disrupted glucose metabolism and accumulated metabolic products, which are linked to structural changes in the heart and disease severity.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalCardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2026

Mount Sinai Health System Chair of Pediatrics receives ASPN Founders’ Award for Lifetime Achievement in Pediatric Nephrology

Dr. Lisa M. Satlin, a renowned pediatrician-scientist, has been awarded the ASPN Founders' Award for her lifetime contributions to pediatric nephrology through research, education, and clinical care. She has advanced understanding of kidney function and development, with significant implications for hypertension and kidney disease.

Genomic Press launches Brain Health, a new peer-reviewed journal of lifelong brain resilience, with inaugural interview featuring Luísa Pinto on glial plasticity

Genomic Press launches Brain Health, a new peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the science of lifelong brain resilience, featuring research on glial plasticity and recovery from depression. The inaugural issue explores the intersection of fields including cognitive reserve, sleep, aging biology, nutritional psychiatry, and social sciences.

New ‘Ecclesiastical’ Moth named after Pope Leo XIV

A new species of moth, Pyralis papaleonei, has been discovered in the White Mountains of Crete, Greece, showcasing its striking purple forewings and orange-golden patch. The discovery underscores the urgent need to protect sensitive habitats and highlights the importance of scientific research in biodiversity conservation.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalNota Lepidopterologica·DateMay 5, 2026

Updated alcohol warning labels may prompt people to cut back: Study

A new study found that updated alcohol warning labels, including those highlighting cancer risk, can better motivate consumers to cut back on drinking. The study used a nationally representative sample of adults and found that the new labels outperformed the current U.S. warning label in encouraging participants to drink less.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeSurvey·DateMay 5, 2026

The boy on the balcony who never came outside

Dr. Dilek Colak's journey began with a childhood observation of a boy with mental illness, which inspired her to pursue a career in neuroscience. Her current work focuses on understanding autism and schizophrenia through the study of human brain organoids.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalGenomic Psychiatry·TypeNews article·DateMay 5, 2026

A toy model to understand how AI learns

Researchers have developed a simplified mathematical model of learning in neural networks, shedding new light on how these systems produce their responses. The toy model, inspired by physics principles, captures key features of complex systems and offers insights into the surprising efficiency and stability of modern AI systems.

SourceSissa Medialab·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 5, 2026

‘They weren’t burned by accident’: burned stone, child’s bones, and lost jewelry could reveal prehistoric mining camp high in the Pyrenees

Archaeologists uncover evidence of ancient copper smelting in a mountain cave, spanning over 2,000 years. Human remains and lost jewelry suggest the site may have been a burial ground, while fire played a deliberate role in processing the green mineral fragments.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Environmental Archaeology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 5, 2026