Science News Archive May 2026 - Page 40

Revolutionizing clinical trials with machine learning

Scientists finally see inside the ‘black box’ of depression treatment

Large-scale multi-omics study aims to decode aging in the Indian population

New heart disease risk prediction tool validated globally

Octopus-inspired underwater gripper with rapid stiffness tuning and robot enabling upward transport

Turning up the volume on macrophage-driven immune responses

Wearable fabric electrotactile system with stimulation–inhibition electrode units

Gut microbiota plays a role in metabolic health after bariatric surgery

New study: Women are 60 percent more likely to be injured in car accidents than men

Study identifies post-extubation pneumonia as a distinct condition after surgery and key risk factors

Feeling regret? Your feelings may mellow as you age

Cost-effectiveness of the START hospital addiction consultation service for opioid use disorder treatment

New research suggests sexual arousal could blind people to rejection cues

Deforestation lessens Amazon rainfall, and climate change hastens that process

Thawing Arctic soil awakens only half of soil microbes, new study reveals

Chilean wasp named in honor of Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday

Scientists describe new genus and species of parasitic wasp, Attenboroughnculus tau, found in Natural History Museum collections. The discovery highlights the scientific value of museum collections and showcases the unique characteristics of this rare subfamily.

Combination therapy with stem cell-derived immune cells boost anti-cancer response

A recent study reveals that combining iNKT cell therapy with antigen-presenting cells activated by a lipid compound triggers effective antitumor immunity. The therapy generates memory-phenotype T cells that can recognize and respond to specific threats, offering a promising personalized approach to cancer treatment.

Ice Age butcher’s tools are a sign of ancient humans’ creativity during hard times

The discovery of complex stone tools at the Lingjing archaeological site in China suggests that ancient humans were capable of advanced technological thinking and creativity. The tools, crafted by Homo juluensis, show a high level of organization and planning, indicating a deep understanding of stone properties and fracture mechanics.

Rapidly melting Antarctic ice shelves may cause global sea levels to rise far faster than expected – new study

A new study suggests that rapidly melting Antarctic ice shelves can lead to a significant increase in global sea levels. The researchers found that long, channel-like grooves on the underside of these ice shelves can trap warm ocean water, causing local melting and potentially weakening the structural strength of the ice shelf.

Digital therapy outperforms referrals to campus clinics among college students

A digital therapy app was found to be more effective in treating anxiety disorders, depression, and eating disorders among college students compared to traditional campus clinics. The study, which tested the app's effectiveness over six months, showed a significant increase in symptom-free students and services uptake.

AI-embodied surgical robots can revolutionize surgery—if regulatory questions addressed

Experts warn that AI-enhanced surgical robotics could enable true personalized surgery and enhance surgical team performance. However, regulatory reforms are needed to address risks from adaptive systems and ensure patient benefits.

Biggest black holes built up in busy star clusters after series of violent merging events, research finds

The most massive black holes detected by gravitational waves were formed through repeated and violent collision events in densely populated star clusters. The study identifies two distinct populations, with high-mass systems showing rapid spins and a signature consistent with cluster mergers.

Scientists stunned: Volcano cleans up after itself by removing methane from the air

Researchers discovered that a volcano's eruption can clean up methane pollution by breaking it down into formaldehyde. The phenomenon could potentially be key to slowing global warming and has implications for reducing methane emissions.

New national study published in The Permanente Journal shows physicians are changing their reasons for leaving clinical practice early

A national survey of 971 clinicians found that burnout, chronic workplace stress, administrative burden, and unrealistic patient expectations are now among the top reasons physicians leave clinical practice early. The study also highlights gender disparities in physician decisions to exit clinical practice.

Patients with Duchenne are driving the development of a ‘heart-on-a-chip’ to halt the cardiac damage caused by muscular dystrophy

Researchers are developing a 'heart-on-a-chip' platform with sensors to track cardiac damage and fibrosis in real-time. The project aims to improve the understanding of cardiac involvement in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and speed up treatment evaluation.

Key magic mushroom ingredient makes fish less aggressive and lazier

A study found that psilocybin, a key magic mushroom ingredient, significantly reduces aggressive attack behavior and energetically costly social behaviors in mangrove rivulus fish. The compound selectively dampens escalated social conflict without suppressing lower-energy social display behaviors.

AI cuts wildlife tracking time from months to days

Researchers at Washington State University and Google developed an AI system that can process hundreds of thousands to millions of camera trap images in just a few days, reducing analysis time from months to days. The results aligned with human experts' models in roughly 85-90% of cases, making it a significant breakthrough for conserv...

New study suggests ‘freedom framing’ more effective than mandates for vaccine-hesitant Americans

HKUMed develops world-first nasal spray as prehospital emergency aid for ischemic stroke, reducing brain damage by over 80% and protecting neurological and motor functions

HKU IDS research in complex networks predictability: international collaborative study with Nobel Laureate in Physics

Free fatty acids induce mammary epithelial cell death in ketotic dairy cows via endoplasmic reticulum stress

Curtin Ignition 2026 to power Australia’s next generation of entrepreneurs

HKU School of Governance and Policy concludes landmark Inaugural Week, shaping governance and next generation leadership inspired by human progress and innovative ideas

Discovery of robust topological hall signatures in the layered ferromagnet FePd₂Te₂ opens new routes for spintronic technologies

HKU Nobel Laureate Professor Ferenc Krausz elected as International Member of U.S. National Academy of Sciences

Operando stress monitoring reveals critical reversibility thresholds in UV-degraded perovskite solar cells

HKUMed uncovers key mechanism of cancer drug resistance

HKU research team to develop “Short-wavelength infrared spectrometer” for China’s Tianwen-3 mission, advancing the search for signs of life on Mars

HKU transforms urban safety with ‘eCheckGo’ AI system for rapid building inspections

Nature-based group activities improve wellbeing among older adults experiencing loneliness

HKUMed develops a pioneering AI early detection system to reduce human risk from avian influenza A viruses

The 10th HKU Quarterly Forum on Chinese Economy:

Education Summit 2026 unites global leaders on the future of intelligence and education in Hong Kong

Beyond accuracy: Why molecular AI needs comprehensive alignment

DAMPE observes charge-dependent limit of cosmic ray acceleration

The DAMPE collaboration has directly observed charge-dependent spectral softening of five primary cosmic-ray nuclei, confirming the Peters cycle model. This observation suggests a nearby cosmic-ray accelerator with a charge-dependent energy limit, providing new insights into cosmic-ray physics.

Gaming monkeys' curiosity

A team of researchers created a touchscreen-based game task inspired by hide-and-seek to elicit curiosity in resident Japanese macaques. The monkeys preferred moderate uncertainty, spending nearly 100 trials without rewards. This study supports the goldilocks principle, where animals seek moderately complex or uncertain stimuli.

A new mechanism regulating beta cell mass under stress

Researchers at Kyoto University discovered that ATF6α plays a critical role in enabling the survival and proliferation of beta cells under sustained stress, leading to impaired beta cell mass expansion. The study highlights the potential for developing new therapeutic strategies to preserve and restore beta cell mass in diabetes.

Band engineering and structural‑geometrical engineering in 2D/3D van der Waals heterostructures for advanced photodetection and intelligent sensing

Researchers develop 2D/3D van der Waals heterostructures for enhanced photodetection, combining high absorption with tunable surface states. The integration of 3D semiconductors and 2D materials enables reconfigurable optoelectronics and in-sensor computing, revolutionizing AI and edge sensing.

Positive experiences can help break the cycle of abuse

Research at Kyoto University found that individuals with fewer positive childhood experiences are more likely to perpetrate elder abuse, while those with more community-related positive experiences have a lower risk. The study suggests that multiple forms of positive experiences across different domains may be necessary to break the cy...

RAS inhibitor daraxonrasib demonstrates initial anti-tumor activity in pancreatic cancer

The Phase 1/2 trial demonstrated a 29% response rate and median overall survival of 15.6 months, outperforming historical chemotherapy response rates. Daraxonrasib targets RAS in its 'on' state and has shown durable responses with a manageable safety profile.

Clinical Organizational Science proposes a structural explanation for why organizations resist change

The article introduces Clinical Organizational Science (COS), a framework that reframes organizational transformation as a problem of structure, not behavior. COS argues that old patterns persist due to the way people interact every day, and proposes three intervention concepts to redesign feedback and interaction patterns.

Limit ultra processed foods to lower risk of heart disease, say experts

A European Society of Cardiology consensus report suggests that ultra processed food consumption is linked to cardiovascular disease and death. The report calls for doctors to advise patients on limiting UPF intake to prevent cardiovascular risks.

Data–water symbiosis: Coupling data centres with wastewater treatment plants could cut 84 million tonnes of CO₂ eq and save 1,300 million m3 of freshwater annually

A global analysis reveals that coupling data centres with wastewater treatment plants can eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, conserve freshwater, and generate economic savings. The study found that 87.8% of the economically viable linkages fall within 40 km of each other, making near-term urban deployment realistic.

Better cognition tied to higher relapse risk after depression remission

A new study with over 3,700 UK participants found that better cognitive functioning may be associated with a higher risk of future depressive episodes in those with a history of depression. In contrast, worse cognitive performance was linked to a lower risk of relapse in both individuals with previous depression and control participants.

Doctors favor explaining anxiety to patients as a human evolution ‘success story’

A new study found that mental health clinicians prefer evolutionary explanations of anxiety over genetic approaches, believing they provide a more positive outlook and can improve patient willingness to seek help. This shift could lead to more hopeful and therapeutically empowering attitudes towards anxiety treatment.

Europe’s first CAR T cell trial for amyloidosis opens

The ALARIC trial aims to treat at least 12 patients with light chain amyloidosis, a rare but serious blood disease affecting around 500 people in the UK each year. CAR T-cell therapy targets abnormal plasma cells producing faulty proteins, offering a one-off treatment with high and durable response rates.

Review finds no direct link between aluminium adjuvanted vaccines and serious or long term health conditions

A systematic review of 59 studies found no association between aluminium-adjuvanted vaccines and serious or long-term health outcomes, including autism, type 1 diabetes, asthma, and myalgia. Persistent nodules or granulomas at the injection site were the most consistently documented reactions.

Controlled peanut intake may reduce allergies in toddlers

Researchers treated 75 children with peanut allergies using slow up-dosing and low maintenance dosing. After three years, 82% of the treatment group could eat at least 3.5 peanuts without an allergic reaction.

A new way to read the Universe

A new framework called CIGaRS allows scientists to extract more information from Type Ia supernovae by jointly analyzing their explosions and host galaxies. This enables precise distance measurements without spectroscopy, crucial for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's 10-year sky survey.

ASCO 2026 Tip Sheet - Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center presented several studies at ASCO 2026 exploring new treatment options for patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and melanoma. These include velzatinib, a targeted therapy for GIST patients, and PRAME-directed T-cell receptor therapies for synovial sarcoma.