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Science News Archive May 2026 - Page 22


Page 22 of 48

Why do dementia and cognitive decline patients remain stuck in past memories?… KAIST identifies memory-switching mechanism​

KAIST researchers have identified a neural circuit that switches between past and recent memories, allowing the brain to select necessary information. The study suggests that specific brain rhythms and states are crucial for effective memory retrieval, with longer online states leading to better recall of recent memories.

Mizzou scientists discover a way to automate production of a cancer-fighting drug candidate

Researchers at Mizzou's Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Center developed an automated approach to producing the prostate cancer treatment. The new method produces CTT1403 in just 38 minutes, compared to six hours with traditional methods, using a commercially available automated synthesis system.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNuclear Medicine and Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2026

New economics study finds ICE activity upended the US childcare workforce

A new study found that increased immigration enforcement by ICE led to significant declines in employment among immigrant women in regulated childcare settings, with a shift towards private household childcare. This may negatively impact childcare quality and stability, as well as labor markets for lower- and middle-income parents.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 18, 2026

Study to evaluate family healthy weight program for childhood obesity in primary care clinics in Louisiana and Tennessee

A research study, COACH trial, is testing different ways to help children and families improve their health through lifestyle changes delivered by primary care clinics. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of personalized nutrition counseling, community resources, and online interactive lessons on weight management.

Turning down the heat from data centers

Researchers at Arizona State University measured air temperatures downwind and upwind of data centers in Phoenix, finding a significant impact on surrounding neighborhoods. Temperatures downwind averaged 1.3-1.6 degrees warmer than upwind, with detectable effects up to five city blocks away.

SourceArizona State University·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2026

International experts call for end to routine reporting of “corrected” calcium

International experts in laboratory medicine, osteoporosis, and chronic kidney disease recommend ending routine reporting of albumin-adjusted ('corrected') calcium. The practice may misclassify patients and compromise care due to unreliable correction formulas and variability in local measurements.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalClinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 18, 2026

New study finds surgical patients with mental health conditions who receive music therapy are more medically complex

Surgical patients with mental health and/or substance use disorders who receive music therapy have a 41.8% longer length of stay compared to those without music therapy. They also exhibit increased resource-intensive admissions, anxiety, trauma/stress-related disorders, and heart failure.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalJournal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine·DateMay 18, 2026

Shooting for the moon: Ultrastable lasers in dark craters could enable lunar navigation, precision timekeeping, new science

Physicist Jun Ye proposes building a highly stable laser inside permanently shadowed lunar craters, leveraging their extremely low vibrations and temperature to achieve unparalleled precision. This could form the backbone of a lunar time scale, GPS-like navigation, and space-based optical atomic clocks.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeContent analysis·DateMay 18, 2026

Chinese Neurosurgical Journal article finds that flow diversion devices are exceptionally safe

A long-term study of patients treated with flow diversion devices (FDDs) for intracranial aneurysms revealed excellent safety profiles, with no significant differences in outcomes between various FDD platforms. The study found that multiple FDDs were associated with a higher risk of insufficient closure and delayed complications.

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 18, 2026

AI-powered CPR coach outperforms 911 dispatchers in guiding bystander resuscitation

A new study shows that an AI-powered CPR coaching agent can significantly improve survival rates by providing more accurate and comprehensive instructions. ChatCPR scored 100% on guideline-based CPR checklists and outperformed human dispatchers in guiding bystander resuscitation, with a 36-point gap in advanced steps.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2026

Facing danger with maturity

Researchers discovered that stem cells can mature into potent antimicrobial cells when infected with bacteria, sacrificing their own lifespan to prevent prolonged infection and promote tissue repair. This newfound mechanism may hold potential for understanding inflammatory diseases like Crohn's disease.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Immunology·DateMay 18, 2026

SKKU research team reveals chemical pathway for next-generation infrared III–V nanocrystals

The study demonstrates a rational precursor design principle for heavy-pnictogen-based III–V nanocrystals, enabling safer and more scalable semiconductor quantum dot synthesis. Metal-amide species play a central role in controlling the reduction of heavy-pnictogen precursors.

SourceSungkyunkwan University External Affairs Division (PR team)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 18, 2026

Observation of a photocurrent reflecting magnetic states in an atomically thin magnetic material

In this study, researchers investigate the photocurrent response of a bilayer atomically thin antiferromagnet, discovering a finite current generated by illumination even without applied voltage. The direction of the photocurrent reverses between two antiferromagnetic states, directly reflecting the material's magnetic configuration.

SourceInstitute for Solid State Physics, the University of Tokyo·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2026

Flawed but correctable research hindered progress in infection-triggered chronic conditions, including Lyme disease and Long COVID

A systematic review by 16 leading researchers at Rutgers University and other institutions highlights recurring problems in studies of infection-associated chronic illnesses, including the failure to prove participants have the relevant pathogen. The authors propose a framework for rigorous study design to confirm diagnoses, choose com...

SourceRutgers University·JournalBrain·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 18, 2026

White hydrogen discovered in billion-year-old Canadian Shield rock points to potential new energy source

Researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa have discovered large volumes of natural hydrogen in the Canadian Shield, which could provide a domestic source of cost-effective energy. The study suggests that harnessing this resource could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support local industry hubs.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2026

Bringing bacteria into better focus

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers developed a light-driven method to rapidly collect microscopic targets, outperforming traditional techniques. The technique concentrates bacteria between 1000-10,000 times faster than existing approaches, paving the way for early disease detection and analysis of nanoparticles.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2026

Study finds payments to Medicare Advantage brokers potentially reached $10 billion annually

Researchers at Brown University found that payments to Medicare Advantage brokers more than doubled between 2014 and 2022, rising from $3.9 billion to roughly $10 billion a year. The study also revealed that broker involvement is common and growing, with 70% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries generating renewal commissions.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 18, 2026