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Science News for September 21, 2026


A practical route to low-loss integrated quantum photonic chips

Scientists have developed a self-aligned heterogeneous photonic integration method that combines diamond and titanium dioxide for low-loss architecture, enabling practical quantum networks and computers. The approach demonstrates key device functions on chip, including hybrid optical cavities and spin state control.

Study unveils ‘plug-and-play’ CAR T technology designed to adapt as cancer changes

Researchers from City of Hope have developed a 'plug-and-play' CAR T technology that allows scientists to update engineered cancer-fighting immune cells after treatment. This technology, called meditope, enables the cells to adapt as tumors evolve, helping them to better control the cells and redirect them to attack different types of ...

SourceCity of Hope·JournalCancer Immunology Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2026

‘Invisible’ inflammation in rare bowel disease may explain heightened colon cancer risk

Researchers have mapped cellular differences between two similar bowel diseases, identifying hidden immune activity that may explain why one carries a much higher risk of colon cancer. The study found that patients with PSC-associated IBD had a distinct microbiome and higher levels of immune activity even in the absence of inflammation.

SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateSep 21, 2026

Fine-structure regulation improves crystallinity and compatibility to achieve efficient and stable organic photovoltaics

Researchers develop novel non-fullerene acceptors to improve organic photovoltaic efficiency and stability through molecular engineering. The study reveals that optimizing molecular aggregation states and crystallinity leads to efficient charge generation and transport, resulting in high-performance OPVs.

SourceChinese Chemical Society·JournalCCS Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2026

Semiconductor, nuclear industries poised for green boost thanks to chemistry breakthrough

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed an eco-friendly process for separating zirconium and hafnium, two critical metals for semiconductor and nuclear industries. The process uses a water-based solution and produces a high separation factor, outperforming the current industry standard.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2026

AI-enabled digital twins could shift environmental science from monitoring to prediction

Researchers propose combining AI with environmental digital twins to create a framework for predicting risks, testing interventions, and supporting adaptive decisions. These systems could connect real-time observations, physical and data-driven models, AI algorithms, and decision feedback in a continuously evolving loop.

Engineering COFs for oxygen electrocatalysis: From active sites to reaction mechanisms

Researchers develop COF-based oxygen electrocatalysts with controlled active sites, electronic structure, and mass transport, achieving high performance and selectivity. The review highlights molecular-level tunability and theoretical design approaches to optimize oxygen-intermediate adsorption and reaction pathways.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeNews article·DateSep 21, 2026

KAIST extends lifespan of graphite-free anode-free batteries that could make EV batteries smaller and lighter

Researchers at KAIST have developed a technology to extend the lifespan of anode-free batteries by applying nanofabrication techniques to create uniform sites for lithium deposition and a robust protective layer. This technology enables smaller and lighter EV batteries with improved energy density.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateSep 21, 2026

Liquid crystal takes page from steel in surprising phase transition

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that an organic semiconductor can transform from a liquid crystal to a solid crystal through a rapid, highly coordinated process resembling a Martensitic transformation. The transformation preserves much of the molecular organization, suggesting a new way to produce highly ordered organic ...

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2026

New study: Personality is key in hiring effective leaders

A new study from Michigan State University found that certain personality characteristics, such as achievement motivation and self-discipline, are important for effective leadership. However, the study suggests that organizations may need to re-evaluate their hiring practices to focus on the characteristics that are most relevant for s...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateSep 21, 2026

Teaching autistic children to ‘think like a reporter’ calms overly sensitive brain activity

A UCLA study found that teaching autistic children to 'think like a reporter' using cognitive reappraisal reduces brain activity in sensory regions and increases activity in areas regulating emotional responses. The technique, already used in cognitive behavioral therapy, shows promise in easing sensory difficulties in daily life.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 21, 2026

Family medicine residents working in teams continuing quality improvement projects across classes are more likely to change patient care

Family medicine residents working in teams and continuing quality improvement projects across classes are more likely to change patient care. Graduates in programs with formal curriculum and accessible data infrastructure show improved clinical skills and tangible clinical change.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 21, 2026

Combining PEth alcohol biomarker and self-reported measures may help identify dangerous patient alcohol use

A study combining phosphatidylethanol biomarker tests and self-reported measures of alcohol use found that 5.8% of patients below hazardous threshold had elevated PEth levels, while AUDIT and self-reported measures varied in flagging risky consumption. The findings support a multimethod approach to screening in primary care.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 21, 2026

“Learning tour” connects primary care clinicians with practice based-research network resources

The Northern New England CO-OP Practice and Community-Based Research Network organized 36 learning tours, reaching 82 primary care sites and 300 clinicians between 2023 and 2025. The tours increased CO-OP network membership by 102% and annual meeting attendance by 37%, driving clinician engagement in practice-based research.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 21, 2026

Batteries that safely break down in the GI tract could improve ingestible devices

Researchers at MIT have created tiny, bioresorbable batteries that can power ingestible electronic devices, such as RFID tags and capsules that stimulate ghrelin production, for up to three days. The batteries, made from magnesium and molybdenum trioxide, can be fully broken down and absorbed by the body, reducing environmental impact.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Chemical Engineering·DateSep 21, 2026

RNA therapy may help preserve muscle during GLP-1 weight loss

A new RNA therapy promotes thermogenesis, turning white fat into beige fat that burns energy, and preserves lean muscle mass when combined with GLP-1s. This treatment improves glucose tolerance and other measures of metabolic health, offering a potential solution to the loss of muscle mass associated with GLP-1 weight loss.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2026

Dads of daughters may be more attentive partners

Researchers found that fathers of daughters show higher levels of attachment, commitment, trust, and intimacy toward the child's mother than fathers of sons. Having a daughter appears to be protective of the primary parent relationship, altering men's psychologies in interesting ways.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·TypeSurvey·DateSep 21, 2026

Engaging the core could be regulating blood flow in the brain

A new study in mice reveals that abdominal muscles used during normal movement can increase blood flow in the brain by creating ultrafast constrictions of major veins. The research suggests a previously underappreciated aspect of normal brain physiology, highlighting the connection between movement and blood flow.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2026

SKKU research team opens new avenue for Alzheimer’s disease treatment by restoring brain immune balance

A research team at Sungkyunkwan University has identified a mechanism to restore a disrupted brain immune environment and reduce abnormally elevated neuronal activity in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Modulating an immune protein in the brain may provide a new therapeutic strategy for the disease.

Machine learning helps design 3D-printed metastructure for broadband microwave absorption

Researchers developed a 3D-printed metastructure that absorbs microwaves over a broad frequency range while supporting loads and removing ice through electrical heating. The structure is made from a composite material and features a layered design that enables microwave absorption across a wide range of angles.

Explainable AI improves prediction of lymph node metastasis in thyroid cancer

Researchers developed an explainable AI approach to assess thyroid cancer risk, estimating lymph node metastasis and highlighting imaging features behind predictions. The approach showed good performance in independent tests, achieving high diagnostic accuracy and improving radiologist collaboration.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Imaging Informatics in Medicine·DateSep 21, 2026

X-ray light is like guitar music

Scientists have created a method to continuously tune X-ray light frequency, allowing for precise control over X-ray emission. By shifting the laser frequency, researchers can select exactly the energy needed, eliminating the need for fixed frequency settings.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2026

First ‘backwards’ planet discovered around a small star challenges ideas about how planets form

Researchers have discovered a retrograde planet orbiting a small star, a rare occurrence that raises new questions about planetary formation and evolution. The GJ 3090 b planet's unusual orbit may be the result of its host star acquiring a second disk of gas and dust, which could have shaped its planetary system billions of years ago.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateSep 21, 2026

€8 million Horizon Europe grant to launch next-generation initiative to detect, assess and respond to pandemics - Pandemics AI Consortium (PANDAI)

The University of Oxford has been awarded €8m to develop an AI model for pandemic detection, assessment and response. The PANDAI project aims to transform the detection, assessment, prediction and response to global disease threats by combining epidemiology expertise with artificial intelligence tools.

How cells move – and how they regulate this

Researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research established profilin as a master regulator of Arp2/3 complex-dependent actin networks, resolving controversies in cell migration research. The study's findings provide insights into the molecular logic of building branched actin networks driving membrane protrusion.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Infection Research·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2026

Could these pills help people with anorexia? A new study aims to find out

Researchers at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute are conducting a clinical trial to investigate the effectiveness of fecal microbiota transplant capsules in managing anorexia nervosa. The study aims to restore healthy gut bacteria and improve nutrition, with the goal of modifying food choices and perceptions of body weight.

SourceLondon Health Sciences Centre Research Institute·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 21, 2026

Eat, prey, love: UMass Amherst researchers help reveal the hidden life of sharks

Researchers from UMass Amherst have conducted two studies to better understand shark mating habits and predatory behavior, shedding light on how to protect critical breeding grounds and reduce conflicts with recreational anglers. The studies reveal that nurse sharks prefer shallow waters for mating, and that their presence is often dis...

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalEnvironmental Biology of Fishes·DateSep 21, 2026

Incremental progress on a stubborn medical mystery: New studies yield insight on the signs and causes of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Researchers have made incremental progress in understanding hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized by unstable joints and chronic pain. Studies have revealed correlations between hormone levels and symptom severity, as well as the relationship between hypermobile individuals and sleep apnea.

Postpartum pain, depression hinder women’s recovery after childbirth

A recent study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that postpartum pain and depression can significantly impact women's ability to care for themselves and their infants. The study highlights the need for better support services and comprehensive monitoring to address these challenges.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalCanadian Journal of Nursing Research·TypeSurvey·DateSep 21, 2026

Lemur uses opera singer's trick to belt out forest songs

Researchers at the University of Warwick found that the indri, the world's only known singing lemur, uses a vocal technique similar to trained opera singers to hit high notes. The indri opens its mouth wider to project higher-pitched vocalizations through the forest, a process that may serve a similar purpose to formant tuning in humans.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2026

Self-supported nanowire electrodes improve CO2 conversion rate

Researchers developed self-supported nanowire electrodes that improve CO2 conversion rate to carbon monoxide and n-propanol by removing polymer binders and using a three-dimensional scaffold-like structure. The electrodes achieved high Faradaic efficiency and stable operation in H-type electrolytic cells.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalEnergy & Environmental Materials·DateSep 21, 2026

Environmental science takes an average of seven years to influence international policy, study finds

A study by the University of Alicante and Mediterranean Centre for Environmental Studies found that environmental science takes an average of 7 years to influence international policy. The research highlights the need for knowledge co-production models to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and policy implementation.

SourceUniversity of Alicante·JournalCell Reports Sustainability·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 21, 2026

Valdivia: A key case for understanding urban segregation in the Global South

Researchers explore how socioecological dynamics shape urban environments and are shaped by them, revealing complex processes of segregation. The study examines three key moments in Valdivia's history, including colonization, the 1960 earthquake, and current struggles to protect urban wetlands.

SourceInstituto de Ecologia y Biodiversidad·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeCase study·DateSep 21, 2026

Researchers develop shape-changing hydrogels that transform over minutes to weeks

Scientists have created shape-changing hydrogels that can transform their shape over minutes to weeks based on a new class of active chemical systems. These hydrogels can be programmed to undergo time-dependent shape transformations, opening up new possibilities for robotics, regenerative medicine, and brain-machine interfaces.

A new mechanism discovered that helps cells prevent errors during DNA replication

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism that helps cells protect genetic information during DNA replication, preventing errors and preserving genome integrity. This discovery could have implications for precision oncology and our understanding of the molecular machinery responsible for copying DNA.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2026

Rare pregnancy infections linked to autism

A large-scale study found that children with congenital TORCH infections were three times more likely to be diagnosed with autism and seven times more likely to be diagnosed with an intellectual disability. The study also showed an impact on academic performance, suggesting long-term effects on brain development.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 21, 2026

JMIR news: Deepfake physician scams and nursing robotics

New research reveals the rise of AI-generated deepfake physician scams and the potential of robotics in bedside nursing care. While robots can perform repetitive tasks, human involvement is still necessary due to the complexity and flexibility of real-life clinical settings. Additionally, deepfakes are used to exploit online users for ...

SourceJMIR Publications·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 21, 2026

Toward scalable quantum networks: An efficient and practical approach to secure quantum conferencing

The study presents an asynchronous measurement-device-independent quantum cryptographic conferencing protocol that overcomes scalability challenges in conventional protocols. The protocol enables the generation of secure keys at higher rates, making it suitable for larger-scale quantum networks.

SourceNanjing University School of Physics·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2026

Drought in the Northeastern United States has decreased

A new study from Dartmouth College found that droughts in the Northeastern US have decreased due to increased precipitation, outpacing water loss from the surface. The research team analyzed changes in drought frequency, intensity, and duration from 1901 to 2022, comparing their results to the US Drought Monitor.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalJournal of Hydrometeorology·DateSep 21, 2026

Children born today in Europe will live through almost twice as much extreme fire weather as their grandparents

A new study projects that children born in 2025 will live through more than three additional years of extreme fire weather compared to those born in 1950, mainly due to climate change. Limiting warming to 1.5°C could reduce lifetime exposure by more than a year, giving them a chance at a full and healthier life.

SourceVrije Universiteit Brussel·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 21, 2026

Lessons from 7 October for European mass casualty planning

A study from Linköping University highlights the importance of regular drills, staff safety, and communication systems in mass casualty planning. The research shows that staff training exercises enable staff to work automatically during crises, while staff safety is crucial to prevent attacks on staff and ensure system effectiveness.

SourceLinköping University·JournalDisaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness·DateSep 21, 2026

Study identifies increased levels of meprin-β in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid of people with Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers identify elevated levels of meprin-β in brain and cerebrospinal fluid of people with Alzheimer's disease, particularly in advanced stages. This finding suggests a possible relationship between meprin-β and beta-amyloid accumulation, a hallmark of the disease.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalAlzheimer s Research & Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2026

A film thinner than a human hair blocks electromagnetic waves—and hides heat!

A team of researchers developed an ultrathin composite film combining electromagnetic interference shielding and infrared stealth, achieving an EMI shielding effectiveness of approximately 90 decibels. The film has a tensile strength comparable to that of high-strength steel and effective suppression of infrared emission.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAdvanced Composites and Hybrid Materials·DateSep 21, 2026

Working with engineered stone countertops can lead to silicosis, a lung disease

Working with engineered stone can lead to silicosis, a lung disease, as seen in a 47-year-old man who developed lung nodules after 10 years of exposure. The case highlights the need for regulatory reform, mandatory surveillance, and proactive worker education in industries using engineered stone.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeCase study·DateSep 21, 2026

Guideline to reduce vaccination distress offers menu of options

The guideline provides new research-based tools and practical strategies to help health system leaders, healthcare providers, and individuals reduce vaccination distress. It emphasizes choosing coping strategies before and/or during vaccination, framed around the CARD system, an evidence-based tool developed by several authors.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateSep 21, 2026