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Science News Archive May 2026 - Page 42


Page 42 of 48

Rare footage of elusive sea-floor creatures and backward-swimming fish captured by compact video-acoustic system in Greenland

A new, non-invasive monitoring system captured striking footage of hyperbenthos, including a snailfish exhibiting backward swimming behavior, and the acoustic presence of narwhals. The study highlights the dynamic nature of the deep-sea environment, with organic particles concentrating in response to tidal currents.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2026

How immune cells spur repair of the heart

Macrophages are among the earliest responders to heart injury, activating an inflammatory program that helps kickstart regeneration. The researchers found that dampening this response specifically in macrophages promotes blood vessel growth and heart muscle cell proliferation, both essential for regeneration.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

Experts in quantum transport have published a new method in the journal Physical Review Materials for measuring distances at the nanometre scale at room temperature

Researchers at the University of Alicante have developed a precise method for measuring distances at the nanometre scale at room temperature. This breakthrough enables the identification of gold nanocontacts just three atoms thick, significantly advancing current understanding of electronic transport.

SourceUniversity of Alicante·JournalPhysical Review Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 6, 2026

Hydrogen takes a major step forward in maritime – University of Vaasa to coordinate ambitious European demonstration

The H4PERION project will demonstrate the safe and reliable use of a hydrogen-capable internal combustion engine on a large commercial vessel, combining full-scale engine development with onboard demonstration and digital modelling. The project aims to shorten the path from research to real-world impact for low- and zero-carbon shipping.

Researchers identify potential new route for antimalarial drug design

A team of researchers has uncovered a promising new target for antimalarial drug design, identifying an enzyme called aminopeptidase P from the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The new inhibitors have been shown to bind more strongly and selectively than existing compounds, demonstrating potential as a new class of drugs to combat malaria.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

AI matches human teachers: HKUST study finds a brief pre-lecture chat boosts students' brain synchrony and learning outcomes

A study at HKUST found that a brief pre-lecture conversation with either a human or AI instructor improves students' neural synchrony and learning outcomes. The study used MRI scans to track eye movements, brain responses, and learning outcomes, revealing comparable results between human and AI interactions.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

Recent advancements in the tribovoltaic effect for human motion energy harvesting and wearable self-powered sensing

Researchers developed a novel tribovoltaic effect-based strategy for human motion energy harvesting, enabling stable direct current output and simplifying system design. Advanced device designs enhance flexibility, durability, and adaptability to complex human motions, making it suitable for wearable applications.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalWearable Electronics·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 6, 2026

Oxytocin linked to group competition

A new study by researchers at UZH's Institute of Evolutionary Medicine found that oxytocin levels increase during football matches, particularly against familiar rivals. The study suggests that oxytocin plays a key role in team dynamics and group boundaries, potentially promoting cooperation and cohesion.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2026

How can renewable energy be most efficiently integrated into the electric grid?

The study reveals that renewable energy sources like solar panels and electric vehicles can lower emissions and costs, but also cause voltage regulation challenges due to variable output. Community-scale battery energy storage systems are the most viable solution to mitigate these technical vulnerabilities, offering a 52% cost advantag...

SourceWiley·JournalIET Renewable Power Generation·DateMay 6, 2026

New USF study tests whether AI can reliably predict immune responses

Researchers at USF Health developed a framework to test AI tools' accuracy in predicting immune responses, aiming to enhance cancer immunotherapies and vaccine development. The study highlights the strengths and weaknesses of current AI approaches, providing guidance for building safe and reliable AI tools for healthcare.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 6, 2026

Aircraft measurements reveal surprisingly strong Southern Ocean biological productivity

A new study by the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research has found that the biological productivity of the Southern Ocean is substantially greater than previously estimated. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the global carbon cycle and the marine food web.

A new experimental strategy enables the elimination of proteins involved in pathological processes

A new experimental strategy enables the forced elimination of proteins that help tumors survive chemotherapy, potentially overcoming cancer treatment resistance. The approach involves delivering proteins directly to the proteasome, bypassing the tagging step, and has shown promise in tests carried out in cancer cells.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateMay 6, 2026

KAIST solves computer problems that would take thousands of years using semiconductors​

A KAIST research team developed a new approach to solving combinatorial optimization problems, which can be implemented entirely using existing silicon processes. This enables faster and more accurate decision-making across various industries, including logistics, finance, and semiconductor design.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalScience Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 6, 2026

Bariatric surgery significantly more effective than GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and disease remission, large real-world study finds

A large real-world study comparing bariatric surgery to GLP-1 drugs found that surgery produced significantly greater weight loss and higher rates of obesity-related disease remission. After 12 months, patients who underwent surgery achieved more than 20% greater weight loss than those treated with GLP-1 therapy.

Scientists find blood-based biomarkers for inflammatory breast cancer

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified specific blood-based genomic biomarkers that distinguish inflammatory breast cancer from other subtypes. The study used an improved method of RNA sequencing, called TGIRT sequencing, which allowed for a more comprehensive overview of all RNA types and amou...

New vesicle links sperm development and gastric cancer

Researchers discovered that MEX3D acts as a key player in activating stored RNAs during sperm maturation. The MXL vesicle system is also hijacked by gastric cancer to enhance tumor growth. Targeting this machinery holds promise for developing selective and safe anti-cancer therapies.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

“Not just hot water”: marine heatwaves can create toxic relationship between seagrasses and microbes

Researchers found a diverse bacterial ecosystem in seagrass habitats that was disrupted by increased water temperature, leading to reduced seagrass biomass and tolerance to climate change. The study highlights the importance of considering microbial communities in understanding marine plant responses to environmental stress.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNew Phytologist·DateMay 6, 2026

From e-waste to energy storage: Recycled phone batteries and lignin power a high-performance sodium-ion anode

Researchers developed a high-performance sodium-ion anode material by converting discarded mobile phone batteries into NiCo₂S₄ and combining it with lignin-derived carbon. The new material achieved improved capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability, making it a promising alternative for lower-cost battery production.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026