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Science News Archive May 2026 - Page 34


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Flexible neural sheet device reaches deep cortical regions without brain penetration

A team of researchers has developed a flexible neural sheet device that can record and stimulate neural activity across multiple sensory cortices in mice. The device, which is thinner than a human hair, is inserted into the epidural space to avoid brain penetration, allowing for wide-area coverage of the temporal and deep cortical areas.

SourceMeijo University·JournalApplied Physics Express·TypeObservational study·DateMay 11, 2026

MYB network tunes brown cotton pigments

A study found that distinct MYB proteins regulate pigment accumulation in brown cotton, with some promoting and others suppressing proanthocyanidin biosynthesis. The research identified key genes and transcription factors involved in pigment formation, providing new insight into naturally colored cotton production.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalSeed Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2026

Heart scan and blood test improve risk prediction for inherited heart condition, major study finds

A large prospective study found that incorporating imaging and blood biomarker data into risk assessment improves prediction of adverse cardiac events in people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The study used clinical history, cardiac MRI, and blood biomarkers to predict outcomes, providing fuller and more accurate predictions.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateMay 11, 2026

Korea University's College of Medicine and Armed Forces Capital Hospital signed an MOU for the development of public medical care and enhancement of medical training

Korea University's College of Medicine has signed an MOU with Armed Forces Capital Hospital to develop public medical care and enhance medical training. The institutions plan to promote cooperation in joint research, personnel training, and customized educational curricula.

Genes linked to neuronal communication appear altered in immune cells of patients with depression

Researchers discovered that genes linked to neuronal communication are also altered in immune cells of patients with depression, reinforcing the systemic nature of the disease. This finding paves the way for developing blood tests to identify and diagnose depression, as well as new treatment approaches targeting inflammation.

A molecular switch for tobacco seed germination

A study reveals NtMYC2a and NtMYC2b as upstream regulators of ABA-mediated seed germination in tobacco. The proteins form a heterodimer that activates NtABI5, enhancing ABA sensitivity. The findings provide new insights into MYC2 functions beyond jasmonate-related pathways.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalSeed Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2026

Gestational blood glucose management: A potential strategy to reduce pre-eclampsia risk

A large multicenter retrospective study found that stable gestational glucose levels and minimal fluctuations increase the likelihood of low pre-eclampsia risk. The study's key findings suggest that blood glucose management is crucial for preventing pre-eclampsia, particularly in pregnant women with no pre-pregnancy chronic conditions.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMay 11, 2026

Advanced chemical frameworks offer a photocatalytic solution for uranium extraction from water

Researchers develop heterocyclic-linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs) that utilize light to trigger specific redox reactions, reducing soluble uranium into insoluble forms. The materials have shown impressive photocatalytic uranium extraction efficiency and potential for environmental cleanup and nuclear fuel security.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 11, 2026

Faculty of Economics and Law, Piacenza-Cremona campus, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore earns AACSB international accreditation

The Faculty of Economics and Law, Piacenza-Cremona Campus, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore has earned AACSB accreditation for its commitment to teaching, research, and student learning. This achievement demonstrates the institution's ability to combine academic excellence with innovation and global perspective.

University of Pennsylvania awarded Institutional Challenge Grant to advance partnership on youth homelessness in Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania has been awarded a three-year, $650,000 Institutional Challenge Grant to support a research-practice partnership focused on addressing youth homelessness across the Commonwealth. The partnership aims to examine the effectiveness of state policies in reducing homelessness and create an evidence-based polic...

Genetic location of primocane-fruiting discovered in blackberries

A team of horticulture scientists has identified the single genetic region controlling primocane-fruiting in blackberries, a discovery expected to speed up breeding for improved varieties. The study validated the result through genetic linkage mapping and identified candidate genes involved in flowering regulation.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture·JournalGenetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 11, 2026

From common natural sweetener to high-performance energy material

Researchers developed a stevia-PVA hydrogel-based triboelectric nanogenerator that demonstrates improved mechanical strength, electrical output, and recyclability. The device achieves over 70% visible light transmittance and can be recycled via a water-assisted process, making it an eco-friendly material for wearable devices.

Hastings Center Report, May-June 2026

The article discusses the ethics of describing gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease. Despite FDA approval, it argues that framing these treatments as a 'cure' is misleading and may cause unrealistic expectations. The essay also highlights the need for structural drug policy reform to expand freedom.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalThe Hastings Center Report·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 11, 2026

Study reveals common mutation linked to autoimmune diseases may protect people from viral infections

A recent study from the University of Kansas found that a common mutation in the PTPN22 gene may provide a survival advantage against viral infections, including coronavirus. The mutation was previously associated with an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and lupus.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 11, 2026

Noninvasive “deep brain” stimulation technique shows early promise for Parkinson’s

A novel noninvasive brain stimulation approach, TIs, significantly improved movement in patients with Parkinson's disease compared to a sham treatment. The technique targets the subthalamic nucleus and produced clinically meaningful improvements in bradykinesia and tremor.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 11, 2026

Metasurface spectral AI chip diagnoses dry eye–related gland disorder with 96% accuracy-Ultrafast “in-sensor computing” captures molecular fingerprints of meibomian gland tissue in milliseconds

A new AI chip using spectral convolutional neural networks (SCNN) analyzes meibomian gland tissue for diagnosis of dry eye disease, outperforming traditional methods and capturing molecular information in a single measurement.

SourceChinese Society for Optical Engineering·JournalPhotoniX·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2026

Testosterone treatment improved sexual and physical function for men after prostate cancer surgery

A randomized clinical trial found that testosterone treatment significantly improved sexual activity, sexual desire, and quality of life scores in men after prostate cancer surgery. The treatment also improved body composition and aerobic performance without increasing the risk of biochemical recurrence.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 11, 2026

Brewer’s spent grain transformed into biodegradable paper: A circular economy solution developed in Ecuador

Researchers in Ecuador create biodegradable paper from brewer's spent grain, achieving mechanical properties similar to commercial papers. The process has economic viability at $3.28 per square meter, reducing reliance on virgin raw materials and closing material loops.

SourceEscuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral·JournalGreen Technologies and Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2026

Ultra-compact silicon photonic "vernier caliper" spectrometer achieves picometer-scale resolution over a broad bandwidth

Researchers developed a compact silicon photonic 'Vernier Caliper' spectrometer with near-uniform resonator responses across a broad wavelength range. The device resolves fine spectral peaks as little as 0.74 pm, outperforming commercial benchtop spectrometers in accuracy.

SourceChinese Society for Optical Engineering·JournalPhotoniX·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2026

Bitter tasting herbal extracts stimulate gastric cells

Researchers at Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology found that bitter-tasting herbal extracts stimulate proton secretion in human gastric cells, with polyphenol-rich extracts showing the strongest effects. The study identified three human bitter taste receptor subtypes as key mediators of this response.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2026

Elke Deuerling elected as Leopoldina member

Elke Deuerling, a molecular biologist at the University of Konstanz, has been elected as a member of the Leopoldina, the German National Academy of Sciences. Her work on proteostasis, the regulation of cellular protein levels, has significantly contributed to the understanding of protein protection in delicate formation phases.

All-surface 3D carbon circuitry on glass: A maskless laser printing breakthrough for next-generation semiconductor packaging

A global research team developed an 'All-Surface' 3D laser patterning technique to directly draw highly conductive carbon circuitry on transparent glass. This technology overcomes conventional 2D lithography limits, enabling the fabrication of complex 3D interconnected electrodes and redistribution layers.

SourceChinese Society for Optical Engineering·JournalPhotoniX·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2026

New research examines “remorse bias” in legal decision-making

Two studies by Rutgers University professor Colleen Berryessa explore how expressions of remorse are interpreted in the legal system, finding that it can lead to serious inequities in legal outcomes. The research highlights the need for greater awareness and education within the legal system to better understand how remorse is assessed.

SourceRutgers University Newark School of Criminal Justice·JournalAnnual Review of Law and Social Science·DateMay 11, 2026