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Science News Archive May 2026 - Page 29


Page 29 of 48

Visual measure of illness perception paints a picture of quality of life

A new study suggests that a visual measure of illness perception can effectively convey symptom-related quality of life for patients with chronic lung illnesses. The study found that patients' visual perceptions of their lung disease were equally effective as standard questionnaires and test results in predicting quality of life.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention·DateMay 13, 2026

How songbirds learn to sing, one brain connection at a time

Researchers pinpoint a specific connection in the brain where song learning first occurs, finding that it hinges on a highly organized process involving a single type of synapse. The study sheds light on how songbirds learn to vocalize by imitating a tutor and shares similarities with human language development.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2026

CODA supports international collaboration between Stellenbosch University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology to advance microvascular research in complex chronic disorders

The Complex Disorders Alliance (CODA) is funding research on microvascular dysfunction and immune-mediated clotting processes in complex chronic disorders. Professor Resia Pretorius of Stellenbosch University and Dr. Mikki Tal of MIT are collaborating to expand understanding of these conditions.

Scientists design "hydrophobic-zincophilic" interface to unlock ultra-stable zinc-ion batteries

Researchers developed a dual-functional coating composed of palladium nanoparticles on a graphitic carbon nitride matrix, which blocks water-induced corrosion and regulates zinc deposition at the atomic level. This 'hydrophobic-zincophilic' design provides a generalizable strategy for high-performance, long-lasting zinc-ion batteries.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalENGINEERING Energy·TypeNews article·DateMay 13, 2026

Synergistically enhances piezoelectricity and resistivity of high temperature 0.3Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9-0.7Bi3TiNbO9 ceramics by (W,Cr) co-doping

Researchers successfully fabricated W,Cr co-doped 0.3Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9-0.7Bi3TiNbO9 ceramics, elevating piezoelectric constant to 20.3 pC/N and resistivity to 7.3×10^7 Ω·cm. This is attributed to the incorporation of W/Cr ions disrupting the crystal lattice and generating stable domain structures.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Advanced Ceramics·DateMay 13, 2026

Crystalline Ni3S2 nanorods tuned by low‑crystalline NiCoSx with built‑in electric field for efficient overall water splitting

Researchers develop high-performance, bifunctional electrocatalyst using crystalline Ni3S2 nanorods and low-crystalline NiCoSx, enabling efficient overall water splitting. The catalyst's built-in electric field promotes faster electron transfer and optimizes adsorption energies.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·DateMay 13, 2026

Experts call on WHO to revisit its approach to airborne risk in light of hantavirus outbreak

Experts are calling on the World Health Organization (WHO) to adopt a more precautionary approach in responding to emerging respiratory viruses. The recent hantavirus outbreak, which has resulted in three deaths and several cases, highlights the need for improved ventilation, respirator use, and portable HEPA filtration.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalBMJ·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 13, 2026

The strong coordination effect on FeNi-MOF derived catalyst for durable oxygen evolution reaction over 3000 h at operando condition

A novel FeNi-MOF-derived catalyst resists dissolution under extreme conditions, achieving record-breaking performance in oxygen evolution reaction. The catalyst's stability is attributed to the ligand effect of BPDC, which enriches electron density around Fe atoms and strengthens metal-oxygen bonds.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalNano Research·DateMay 13, 2026

Asymmetric droplet coalescence on fibers reveals mechanisms of secondary droplet formation

A study investigates coalescence of sessile and pendant droplets on fibers, revealing a three-stage process: liquid bridge formation, oscillation decay, and stable morphology formation. The findings provide direct guidance for controlling polydisperse droplet emissions in industrial fiber coalescers.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalENGINEERING Chemical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2026

Of the geometry of light

A German-Japanese research team applies quantum geometry to non-Hermitian photonic systems, introducing a new degree of complexity. They develop a method to measure the quantum metric directly, enabling the creation of programmable artificial potentials for light and new design possibilities for photonic systems.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2026

Surrounded by stardust

Researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf analyze ancient Antarctic ice to reveal the Local Interstellar Cloud's role in storing and supplying iron-60. The findings confirm a long-past stellar explosion as the source of this rare radioactive isotope, shedding new light on the origins of the Cloud.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2026

Chinese Neurosurgical Journal reports KRAS gene as key driver for brain arteriovenous malformation

A study published in Chinese Neurosurgical Journal reports KRAS gene overexpression associated with brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) pathogenesis. The research found altered gene expression profiles linked to cell adhesion, signaling, and mitochondrial function, suggesting KRAS-driven molecular alterations play a role in bAVM de...

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2026

Diseases can spread between apartments via shared ventilation, study shows

A study found that airborne viruses can spread between separated indoor spaces through shared bathroom ventilation systems. The study, conducted in a high-rise building in Spain, confirmed COVID-19 transmission through vertical ventilation shafts, highlighting the risk of disease transmission in older buildings.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 13, 2026

Applying bundles of best practices improves outcomes of pediatric surgery, clinical trial finds

A multicenter clinical trial found that implementing ERPs improved outcomes for children undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, with reduced time to regular diet after surgery and decreased opioid use. Hospitals with strong quality improvement culture and commitment to ERPs saw the most success in implementation.

Honeybees teach drones how to navigate

A team of scientists has developed a novel navigation strategy inspired by honeybees, allowing small robots to travel far away from home and return successfully. The 'Bee-Nav' system uses a neural network to process panoramic images of the environment, enabling lightweight, safe robots to navigate on their own.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2026

From plastic waste to chemical building blocks: a sustainable path for polyethylene upcycling

Researchers create tandem catalytic strategy to efficiently upcycle polyethylene into aromatic chemicals without precious metals or external hydrogen acceptors. The process achieves high aromatics yield and demonstrates excellent stability, offering a promising solution for managing plastic pollution and reducing fossil resource reliance.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2026

A marine-inspired sunscreen ingredient made by E. coli

Researchers engineered E. coli microbes to produce the UV-protective compound gadusol, increasing yield by nearly 93 times and showing promise in antioxidant tests. The compound may become an attractive ingredient for sunscreens and skin-care products, offering a greener alternative to traditional ingredients.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2026