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Science News Archive May 2026 - Page 15


Page 15 of 48

Scientists uncover protein that could help failing hearts

Researchers identified a key protein called PERM1 that is restored in patients whose hearts recover after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. PERM1 regulates energy production and contractile function in heart cells, and its normalization is associated with improved cardiac function.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2026

Scientists map which genes are active in a developing seed to build hardier crops

Researchers have created a gene expression map of seed development in Arabidopsis thaliana, revealing the role of specific genes and cell types in shaping seed traits. The study identifies key regions where hormones regulate growth and nutrient storage, providing insights into how seeds develop and can be improved for crop productivity.

Decoding Inflammatory Bowel Disease – on a chip

A new study replicated patient- and sex-specific hallmarks of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in a human organ chip, identifying stromal fibroblasts as key drivers of inflammation, fibrosis, and enhanced cancer risk. The model also recapitulated the impact of pregnancy hormones on IBD severity in female patients.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2026

Soil science: How AI could help scientists secure a vital global resource

A new study highlights the potential of AI tools in soil science, enabling researchers to better understand soil ecosystems and adapt to climate change. The system successfully generated hypotheses on how soils store carbon and what controls their storage limits, with outputs aligning with expert research.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 21, 2026

Cell movement in the embryo

Researchers at ISTA uncovered why keratin plays an essential part in embryonic cell movement and organization. Without keratin, the process slows dramatically, leading to tissue collapse and loss of cellular alignment. Keratin helps maintain the structural integrity and cohesion of cells during early development.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2026

Where do citizen science data come from?

A study analyzed over 300,000 citizen science observations to identify patterns influencing participation rates. Regional data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office was combined with citizen science data to examine the relationship between socio-economic and environmental factors on observation density.

SourceHun-Ren Ökológiai Kutatóközpont·JournalPeople and Nature·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 21, 2026

Capturing an elusive step in molecular sandwich making

Researchers from OIST have reported the first full structural characterization of a doubly ring-slipped reaction intermediate in metallocene formation. This discovery provides new evidence on how metallocenes form and react, presenting opportunities for designing tunable structures for applications such as drug delivery systems, cataly...

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2026

Faster gene screening method targets deadly fungus

Researchers at the University of Guelph developed a faster way to identify potential drug targets against Candida albicans using CRISPR interference. The new system reduced the time from laboratory discoveries to clinical applications by years, focusing on hundreds or thousands of genes simultaneously.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2026

Teen attitudes to exercise shape fitness years later

Research shows that intrinsic motivations, such as enjoying physical activity and feeling healthy, consistently matter most in predicting aerobic fitness. Teenagers who value these factors are significantly fitter at 17 than those motivated primarily by winning or external rewards.

SourceFlinders University·JournalChild Care Health and Development·TypeSurvey·DateMay 20, 2026

Finding the early signs of Alzheimer's disease

New research from the University of Otago has uncovered a specific biomarker in blood plasma associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study found that elevated levels of ptau181 were linked to subjective cognitive concerns, but not objective decline or structural brain integrity measures.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalGeroScience·TypeCase study·DateMay 20, 2026

The Lancet MedZero: a single platform for carbon data across every product in healthcare

The Lancet MedZero platform offers product-level carbon data for hospitals and health systems worldwide, enabling evidence-based decision-making and supporting climate action. With over 14,000 entries launched, the platform aims to help healthcare institutions reduce waste, improve patient care, and tackle climate change.

A review of microwave dielectric ceramics: From fundamental mechanisms and property regulation to advanced preparation, applications, and data-driven discovery

Recent advancements in microwave dielectric ceramics research focus on property characterization, theoretical mechanisms, sample preparation, applications, and data-driven discovery. Key findings include the development of standardized resonant methods for evaluating low-loss materials and advanced cold sintering processes enabling co-...

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Advanced Ceramics·DateMay 20, 2026

SKKU research team awakens “hidden oxygen” to produce green hydrogen… pioneering next-generation water-splitting catalyst technology

Researchers at SKKU have created a highly efficient water-splitting catalyst that activates 'lattice oxygen' to break the oxygen evolution reaction bottleneck. By controlling atomic spacing, they enabled robust metal-oxygen interactions, achieving lower energy levels than precious metal catalysts.

Critical Path Institute launches New Approach Methodologies Developer Coalition to advance human-relevant tools for drug development

The coalition aims to accelerate validation and qualification of human-relevant methodologies, such as complex in vitro models and microphysiological systems, for drug discovery and development. By aligning developers around shared qualification standards, the coalition reduces duplicative validation efforts and helps regulators evalua...

Study identifies new marker to find patients with advanced prostate cancer more likely to benefit from combination immunotherapy

Researchers discovered a new gene expression signature linked to prolonged overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who responded to combined immune checkpoint inhibitors. The biomarker has the potential to help identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment combination.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 20, 2026

We can help the body fight entire viral families

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that combining key vaccine ingredients could give the body the tools it needs to fight the entire family of arenaviruses with a single vaccine. This approach may protect against life-threatening infections from Lassa virus, Junin virus, and many other arenaviruses.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2026

Early birth safer for mother and baby in high blood pressure pregnancies

A new Cochrane review finds planned early birth for pregnant women with high blood pressure cuts maternal complications by nearly half and reduces the risk of stillbirth. The practice is found to be safe across both high- and low-income settings, without increasing the likelihood of caesarean section.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 20, 2026

Reusable catheters a safe choice that could save NHS millions, study finds

A new study by the University of Southampton has found that reusable catheters are just as safe for patients as single-use ones and do not increase the risk of urinary tract infections. The study followed hundreds of patients for a year and discovered that those who tested reusable catheters used 35 per cent fewer antibiotics.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalInternational Journal of Nursing Studies·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 20, 2026

Healthcare is facing a moral emergency, argue experts

The BMJ argues that healthcare has lost its human, moral, and relational foundations. Experts say reconnecting with these values is crucial for improving patient outcomes and staff well-being. By prioritizing kindness, compassion, and leadership, healthcare can rebalance its focus from technical power to individualized care.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 20, 2026

ISSCR Consortium urges FDA to maintain flexible, science-driven framework for new approach methodologies in drug development

The ISSCR Consortium supports the FDA's draft guidance on using new approach methodologies (NAMs) in drug development, emphasizing the need for a flexible and science-driven framework. The consortium recommends clarifying biological complexity alignment with context of use and expanding recognition of computational modeling and hybrid ...

CPRIT awards UT MD Anderson over $19 million for cancer research and faculty recruitment

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has been awarded $19 million by CPRIT to support young cancer survivors, groundbreaking research, and faculty recruitment programs. The funding will enable UT MD Anderson to recruit world-class scientists and clinicians, pursue new discoveries, and accelerate cancer treatment advancements.

How Atlantic herring rewired reproduction to survive a new sea

A recent study reveals that Atlantic herring rewired its reproduction to survive in the Baltic Sea's low-salinity waters through four key genetic adaptations. These adaptations enabled the species to reproduce successfully despite the challenging environmental conditions, highlighting the importance of gene function and regulation in e...

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMay 20, 2026

Seeing deeper without losing detail

Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington are developing a new technology to enable clear, detailed imaging of biological structures far beneath the skin's surface. This innovation has the potential to improve disease detection and diagnosis, particularly in areas such as cancer and vascular diseases.

In middle-aged and older adults, migraine with aura associated with higher stroke risk

Migraine with aura is linked to a 73% increased risk of ischemic stroke in middle-aged and older adults. The study found no association between migraine without aura and an increased risk of stroke. Men under age 72 with migraine also face a significantly higher risk of stroke, contradicting previous research in younger individuals.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology Open Access·DateMay 20, 2026