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Science News for September 2, 2026


Targeting CDK2 could boost immunotherapy response in patients with a wide range of cancers, according to Dana-Farber science

Researchers found that combining CDK2 inhibitors with immunotherapy eradicated colorectal and breast cancers in animal models. CDK2 activity restricts immune-related gene expression, enabling tumors to resist immune checkpoint inhibitors. The strategy may be widely applicable to a range of cancers.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalMolecular Cell·DateSep 2, 2026

Strategies of designing high‑efficiency electrolyte additives for aqueous magnesium batteries: A review

The review proposes a systematic roadmap for designing next-generation electrolyte additives that can boost discharge potential, utilization efficiency, and specific energy in aqueous Mg batteries. It highlights an often-overlooked contributor to anode self-discharge and introduces two strategic frameworks for binary additive design: m...

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeNews article·DateSep 2, 2026

Study: Alcohol-linked cancer’s toll extends far beyond the liver with deaths rising across age groups

A new study found that alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the US doubled between 1990 and 2023, with colorectal and breast cancers standing out among adults ages 20 to 54. The study also revealed that alcohol-linked cancer deaths are not limited to older adults or liver cancer.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·DateSep 2, 2026

Informal supporters share experiences of NDIS behavior support practitioners

The study highlights the need for greater transparency and expertise in NDIS behavior support, with supporters seeking clearer information about practitioners' qualifications and approach. The research also emphasizes the importance of person-centered practice, involving participants and informal supporters in planning and implementation.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAustralian Journal of Social Issues·TypeSurvey·DateSep 2, 2026

KAIST tames a semiconductor greenhouse gas 6,000 times more potent than CO₂ with the ‘power of disorder’

KAIST researchers have developed a new catalyst that can remove tetrafluoromethane (CF₄), a greenhouse gas 6,000 times more potent than CO₂, with high efficiency. The catalyst, called entropy-stabilized aluminate (ESA), harnesses the power of disorder to stabilize its structure and maintain performance over extended periods.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 2, 2026

Boosting indoor light could help support healthy ageing in older adults in urban areas

A new study from the University of Surrey found that bright light therapy lamps can improve sleep, activity levels, and circadian rhythms in older adults with diminished natural light exposure. Higher baseline natural light exposure was associated with better sleep quality, daytime activity levels, and reduced rest-activity fragmentation.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalJournal of Pineal Research·DateSep 2, 2026

Scientists uncover shared biology behind profound fatigue in five major illnesses

A new study reveals striking biological similarities between five major illnesses, including long Covid and PTSD, suggesting common underlying mechanisms. Chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis may be driven by shared regulatory networks in immune and metabolic systems.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of Translational Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 2, 2026

Europe facing housing affordability crisis, continental study of more than 22 million property listings suggests

A new study of 22 million property listings across 30 European countries reveals that nearly half of people on average income can only afford a one-bedroom apartment or studio flat. The study highlights the emerging crisis over affordable housing, particularly in densely populated areas such as towns and cities.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Maps·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2026

GenAI increasingly seen by investors as a key tool to research companies, evaluate stocks

A study found that nearly half of retail investors use GenAI to process financial information and inform investment decisions. Investors primarily use GenAI as a research assistant to make sense of complex financial data, with 74% believing it improves processing and 80% planning to continue using it. However, concerns about reliabilit...

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of Accounting and Economics·TypeSurvey·DateSep 2, 2026

Study finds folic acid does not elevate toxic formaldehyde in body, offering reassurance to cancer patients

A new Cornell University study found that folic acid does not increase toxic formaldehyde or DNA damage in the body, providing reassurance for cancer patients taking high doses. The study, published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, used blood samples from nine patients taking high dose folic acid and 15 patients not taking the supplement.

SourceCornell University·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateSep 2, 2026

Daraxonrasib demonstrates initial antitumor activity in RAS-mutant lung cancer

Daraxonrasib demonstrated durable responses in pretreated patients with RAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer, with an objective response rate of 42% and median progression-free survival of 8.3 months. The therapy's safety profile, while notable, is considered manageable compared to chemotherapy options.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 2, 2026

Mass General Brigham-led trial shows a less-intensive drug combination is more effective in treating AML

A phase 2 clinical trial found that a less-intensive combination of azacitidine and venetoclax was more effective in treating acute myeloid leukemia, with patients tolerating treatment better and spending less time in the hospital. The combination also led to more patients reaching stem cell transplantation.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 2, 2026

The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology sues the Trump Administration for shrinking Bears Ears National Monument

The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology joins co-plaintiffs in suing the Trump Administration for shrinking Bears Ears National Monument, which lost nearly 3 million acres of national monument protections. The organization asserts that the President's proclamation reducing Bears Ears was illegal and violates the Antiquities Act.

KU law professor traces legal history of the kiss

A University of Kansas law professor has analyzed the legal history of kissing, tracing its evolution from being viewed as property, contract, tort, and assault, to its current recognition as a form of consent. The study highlights the inconsistencies in laws and cultural values surrounding kissing, particularly in regards to same-sex ...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalEvolution and Human Behavior·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 2, 2026

Shake it off

Scientists from Washington University in St. Louis are developing materials that can shake off biofouling organisms in water, a major concern for the US Navy and global shipping lines. The new system uses soft robotics and nontoxic polymers to create a self-healing multiphase coating that can detect and dislodge biofilms, potentially i...

Study reveals distinct patterns across single-, multi-, and mass homicides

The study categorizes homicides into single-victim, multi-victim, and mass fatalities, revealing distinct demographics and circumstances. Mass homicides more often involved non-Hispanic White victims and children, whereas single- and multi-victim homicides more often involved NH Black victims and acquaintances or friends as suspects.

SourceElsevier·JournalAnnals of Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2026

Mount Sinai researchers report largest study supporting three courses of radiation for children with deadly brain tumor

A new study suggests that carefully selected patients with recurrent DIPG may experience longer survival and improved quality of life after receiving a third course of radiation therapy. The study analyzed 12 patients and found that median survival was 27 months, substantially longer than typically reported for DIPG.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalPractical Radiation Oncology·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 2, 2026

Fertility may drive women’s desire for luxury

Research suggests that women's hormonal fluctuations during ovulation drive their desire for luxury goods, which may serve as a visible signal to attract mates. Studies found that women near ovulation prefer more conspicuous luxury products and display luxury in public, but not in private.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Scientists observe Einstein’s gravity in the quantum world

An international team has observed a distinctive change in the quantum properties of atoms as they fell under gravity, measuring a tiny difference in quantum phase accumulated while one was falling and the other was held still. This result provides an experimental connection between quantum physics and Einstein's theory of gravity.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 2, 2026

Blocking a microRNA reverses deadly lung disease in study

Researchers identified microRNA-224 as a promising treatment target for pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare disease that damages the blood vessels in the lungs and strains the heart. Blocking the molecule reversed key signs of the disease in animal models, improving blood vessel function and heart performance.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

New class of KRAS inhibitors shows promise at shrinking NF1 nerve tumors

A new class of KRAS inhibitors has shown at least as much potential as FDA-approved MEK inhibitors in shrinking NF1 tumors, preventing new ones from forming, and extending survival in mice. The treatment has the potential to be less severe in terms of side effects, making it an attractive alternative or replacement for MEK inhibitors.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Engineers create world-first floating titanium

Australian engineers have created a strong and lightweight titanium material that floats in water, even after severe damage, revealing a promising new material for marine infrastructure. The 3D-printed titanium lattice is 70% stronger than stainless steel and withholds seawater exposure, making it suitable for jetties, buoys, and float...

SourceRMIT University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

A lifecycle perspective reveals that younger generations and socioeconomically vulnerable regions face disproportionate heatwave exposure under climate change

A study finds that younger cohorts and regions with lower economic development will experience higher lifetime heatwave exposure under climate change. Climate change is widening inequalities between generations and regions, with younger people facing more frequent and intense heat extremes.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateSep 2, 2026

What adults don't see about teen bullying

Researchers found that teens use subtlety and systematized harm online, while adults often overlook. LGBTQ+ students, gender nonconforming students, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds are most likely to experience bullying. Social media becomes a primary way young people learn about diversity and create support systems.

Shear-wave elastography reveals distinct abdominal wall mechanics in obesity

The study found that obese individuals exhibited bulging during global maneuvers, whereas non-obese individuals showed bulging only during a curl-up. Shear-wave elastography captured dynamic mechanical response of the abdominal wall, revealing fundamentally different biomechanical properties in obese versus non-obese individuals.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalInternational Journal of Abdominal Wall and Hernia Surgery·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Innovative analysis and future prospects of Bupleuri Radix's pharmacology and toxicity based on the gut-liver axis

This review examines the dual effects of Bupleuri Radix through the gut-liver axis, revealing its hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. The review highlights the importance of saikosaponins, microbial biotransformation, and the gut-liver axis in understanding BR's biological activity and potential toxicity.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalMedScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Novel PET/MRI approach improves detection of endometriosis in difficult-to-assess areas

A new PET/MRI technique targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP) overexpressed in endometriosis accurately maps the extent of the disease, enabling personalized management and improving patient outcomes. The approach was particularly effective in regions of the pelvis and abdomen that are typically difficult to image.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateSep 2, 2026

Professor Lady Black appointed as ARU Chancellor

Professor Lady Black, a renowned forensic scientist, has been appointed Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, succeeding Lord Bernard Ribeiro. Her appointment coincides with the launch of the university's 10-year strategy, Transforming Lives, which aims to empower learning, drive discovery, and foster a culture of belonging and achie...

Autism diagnoses rising fastest among girls and women, according to new JAMA research

A new study from Saint Louis University found that autism diagnoses are rising fastest among girls and women, driven by increased awareness and diagnosis rates, not an epidemic. The study analyzed nearly a decade of health records and tracked sex-specific trends across childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2026

Boston University study provides first window into the cognitive impairments that people experience from autopsy proven CTE

A Boston University study analyzed 33 NFL players with confirmed CTE, revealing cognitive impairments in memory, executive function, language, and attention. The findings provide an important roadmap for recognizing CTE in living patients and highlight limitations of the NFL Concussion Settlement's testing program.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeCase study·DateSep 2, 2026

Immune drug anifrolumab linked to lower risk of infection and hospitalization for skin lupus

The study found that patients taking anifrolumab had lower rates of infections requiring hospitalization compared to those on conventional immunosuppressants. Anifrolumab also reduced the need for systemic antibiotics and increased the likelihood of viral infections, offering distinct benefits over conventional treatments.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology·DateSep 2, 2026

How much clearcutting can nature sustain? A study determines the ecological limit for boreal forest birds

Researchers found that maintaining old-growth forest bird populations requires a forest rotation period of at least 90 years or 10% clearcutting threshold. The study provides a concrete target for ecologically sustainable forest management, reconciling forest use with biodiversity protection.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2026

Mini-tumors reveal new drug combinations for liver cancer

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed new drug combinations for liver cancer using mini-tumors, which retained key characteristics of the original tumor. The study identified several potent anti-tumor effects and combination therapies that could be effective despite significant biological differences between tumors.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 2, 2026

Wind damage can trigger years of forest vulnerability

A large-scale study found that forests damaged by windstorms remain vulnerable to subsequent bark beetle or snow damage, depending on forest structure, climate, and topography. Forests with mixed stands and warmer conditions are more prone to bark beetle damage, while those on steeper terrain require closer monitoring for snow damage.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateSep 2, 2026

When health uncertainty follows you to work: The hidden labor of staying functional

People with unresolved health concerns may experience invisible work to maintain productivity and stability, while uncertainty can unsettle taken-for-granted assumptions about the body, identity, and routines. The study highlights the importance of workplace and relational support in managing health uncertainty.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalQualitative Research in Medicine & Healthcare·TypeCase study·DateSep 2, 2026

A newly discovered role for tension wood: the “muscle” trees use to correct their posture

Plants use proprioception to control their posture and maintain a straight shape, utilizing tension wood as a muscle-like structure that can bend and straighten. This complex biological process is regulated at the cellular level and unfolds through several stages, governed by the plant's proprioception.

Why Britons disagree about poverty: they draw the line differently

A new study from the University of Bath found that people with different political beliefs disagree on poverty definitions, with right-leaning individuals drawing narrower lines and left-leaning individuals adopting broader definitions. The research highlights the importance of understanding how people define poverty, as it shapes perc...

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalResearch in Social Stratification and Mobility·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2026

High oxygen pressure based chemical avenue enables ultra-effectiveness in the growth of Eu-doped infinite layer nickelates showing RE-4f related quantum competition between high-Tc and reentrant superconductivity

Researchers created Eu-doped infinite-layer nickelates using high oxygen pressure, revealing robust high-Tc superconductivity and reentrant superconductivity in both underdoped and overdoped regions. Rare-earth substitution provided an additional control knob, strengthening the superconducting state and enhancing pairing.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Hydrodynamics shapes life in the roof of the world’s rivers

A new study reveals that hydrodynamic intensity, not water temperature, is the primary driver of macroinvertebrate biodiversity and community assembly in high-altitude alpine rivers. The study found that taxa richness consistently followed a unimodal pattern to hydrodynamic intensity, peaking under moderate hydrodynamic intensity.

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateSep 2, 2026

AI-designed proteins enable a new generation of RNA transporters

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich developed Synthetic Transfer Vehicles (STVs), an entirely new class of RNA transporters. STV-C8 is the most efficient candidate, transporting RNA far more efficiently than traditional lipid nanoparticles. In animal models, STV-C8 demonstrates effective delivery and expression of RNA in a living organism.

An explainable AI framework for scientific discovery and high-stakes applications

A new AI framework, Perspective, provides a structured approach to explaining complex patterns in AI predictions, enabling researchers to test hypotheses and improve designs. By revealing the underlying relationships, XAI can support discovery, optimisation, and certification for AI in high-stakes fields.

SourceNational University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Exotic pines in the Southern Hemisphere grow faster and are more drought-resistant, according to a new study in Nature

A new study challenges the idea that plants cannot grow rapidly while tolerating water stress, finding exotic conifers in the Southern Hemisphere grow up to four times faster and are more resistant to drought. Carbon reserves and absence of natural enemies in the Southern Hemisphere may be key factors contributing to this advantage.

SourceInstituto de Ecologia y Biodiversidad·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2026

Serial ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant bipolar depression

Serial ketamine infusions have been found to be well-tolerated and significantly effective in treating treatment-resistant bipolar depression, with antidepressant effects comparable to midazolam. The study's results provide promising hope for patients struggling with this condition, highlighting ketamine as a potential therapeutic option.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateSep 2, 2026

Electric fish keep from blinding themselves with these brain cells

Researchers mapped the brain cells in the electrosensory lobe of African weakly electric fish, revealing a balance between fast and slow changes to cell connections. This balance allows the fish to filter out electrical interference and continually learn and adapt, shedding light on how biological brains learn throughout life.

SourceThe Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Personality pairing improves human-AI collaboration

A new study from MIT Sloan School of Management identifies the most effective ways businesses can use and benefit from AI personalization. Researchers found that specific pairings of human and AI personalities can significantly improve ad quality and performance, with text quality increasing click-through rates and decreasing costs per...

SourceMIT Sloan School of Management·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 2, 2026

Bovine stem cells offer new approach to future cultivated steak research

Researchers at EMBL Barcelona have developed a method to grow self-organising bovine tissues containing muscle, nerve, and blood vessel cells from bovine embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough provides a powerful model for understanding muscle development and tissue engineering, and lays important groundwork for building more complex ...

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 2, 2026

Why some stroke patients fare better than others

A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder reveals how the brain's defense mechanism can backfire, forming micro-clots that damage tissue after the original clot is gone. This phenomenon, known as no reflow, affects up to 50% of stroke patients and can lead to long-term disability or death.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Mental health conditions after trauma linked to higher cardiovascular risk

Research suggests that mental health conditions, including PTSD, substance abuse, and depression, can increase the risk of future cardiovascular risks such as heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death. Alcohol abuse was found to be the top psychiatric predictor of serious heart and brain conditions for both men and women.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateSep 2, 2026

Japanese scientists develop heart-in-a-dish model of heart relaxation failure

Researchers have developed a human engineered heart tissue model of diastolic heart failure, enabling treatment testing with SGLT2 inhibitors, which partially prevented disease development. The model demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of SGLT2i, improving ion exchanger function and preventing accumulation of ions in tissues.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Adjuvant immunotherapy shows no survival benefit for NSCLC patients achieving pCR after neoadjuvant treatment

A real-world observational study found no significant survival benefit from post-surgery immunotherapy in NSCLC patients with pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. The study suggests that these patients may already derive the maximum benefit from neoadjuvant therapy alone.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2026

Check for copycat bias in medical AI

A scoping review found that only 77 studies validating 52 medical AI products reported demographic data, highlighting the need for more transparent reporting to confirm safe and unbiased performance. The review also showed that performance reporting for demographic subgroups is inadequate, posing a risk to patient care and outcomes.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalEuropean Radiology·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 2, 2026