Newswise: SciNews

Researchers Generate Spontaneous Magnons That Synchronize with External Signals

Argonne National Laboratory — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:20:26 EST

Researchers at Argonne and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign demonstrate a method for generating ultrasharp magnons -- waves in magnetic materials -- that are highly controllable, a step forward for efficient processing in microelectronics and quantum devices.

The Hidden Cost of Keeping Women Out of Skilled Trades

University of Portsmouth — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:45:37 EST

New research suggests decades of discrimination have created an overlooked barrier to attracting more young women into apprenticeships today

NASA Telescopes Create Colorful "Craft" From Nearby Nebula

Chandra X-ray Observatory — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:30:20 EST

Like a collage made of layered sheets of colored cellophane, a vibrant new image layers observations of a famous star-forming nebula from NASA space telescopes. The resulting cosmic "craft" reveals new details about the star formation region known as 30 Doradus, or the Tarantula Nebula.

Biophysical Society Announces the Results of its 2026 Elections

Biophysical Society — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:10:23 EST

BETHESDA, MD - Vasanthi Jayaraman has been elected President-elect of the Biophysical Society (BPS). She will assume the office of President-elect at the 2027 BPS Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in February. Jayaraman is a professor and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston.

Blending Fusion Science, AI to Predict DIII-D Tokamak Behavior

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 08:40:50 EST

Data scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and partner institutions have developed a deployable machine learning (ML) framework that can adaptively predict changes in a magnetic confinement fusion research machine's hardware. The innovative method, recently published in the journal Machine Learning with Applications, promises to help make the operation of fusion devices more stable and accelerate humanity's pursuit of a superabundant energy source.

ORNL, Kyoto Fusioneering to develop fusion technology test facility in East Tennessee

Oak Ridge National Laboratory — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 07:05:37 EST

ORNL and Kyoto Fusioneering are developing UNITY-3, a first-of-its-kind world-class fusion breeding blanket test facility capable of generating high-energy neutrons typical of those produced by a burning plasma.

Illumination and Microscopy Combined in a Single Fibre Bundle by 3D-Printed Micro-Optics

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 05:25:27 EST

This article pioneers a new endoscope architecture, reducing the size of ultrathin endoscopes to improve the access to thin luminal organs in endoscopic interventions. Using monolithic micro-3D-printing, a team of researchers integrate a ring-illumination module around a miniaturised multi-lens microscope at the tip of an imaging fiber bundle, with a total device diameter of only ~500 micrometres.

Brain Scans Show That Dogs Can Distinguish Various Emotions in Human Faces

University of Vienna — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 05:25:27 EST

Scientists -- and dog lovers -- have long known that dogs are remarkably good at reading human laughs, frowns, and tears. But the biology behind this ability has remained largely unexplored, until now. In a current study published in the Cell Press journal iScience, researchers from the University of Vienna peered inside the brains of dogs as they viewed images of various expressions. The brain scans revealed that dogs process human smiles in a unique way and, for the first time, provided evidence that dogs can distinguish between certain negative facial expressions.

Multifunctional Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave LiDAR for Simultaneous 3D Imaging and Multi-Parameter Sensing

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 05:20:21 EST

A multifunctional frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LiDAR capable of high-precision ranging and multi-parameter sensing is proposed for the first time. By detecting the echo signals from both free space and optical fiber, 3D imaging and the measurements of diverse physical parameters, including environmental temperature, gas concentrations and liquid density can be measured simultaneously. The proposed multifunctional LiDAR exhibits significant application potential in fields such as new energy vehicles and spacecraft.

New Findings on the Eruption History of the West Eifel Maar Volcanoes

Newswise Review — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:30:43 EST

International research team dates most recent eruptions - these occurred in short pulses

NUS Researchers Achieve Breakthrough in Engineering Colour-Sensing Yeast

National University of Singapore (NUS) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 02:55:00 EST

Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have engineered baker's yeast to sense and respond to red and blue light. This breakthrough enables scientists to control cell behaviour using light, opening exciting new doors for programmable and predictable biological manufacturing.

Global Forum on Mechanical Engineering 2026 to Robotics Shaping Tomorrow's Industrial Ecosystem with Physical AI

National Research Council of Science and Technology — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:58 EST

A global forum will be held to discuss the future of "Physical AI," a technology that enables artificial intelligence to perceive, understand, and act in the real world through the physical embodiment of robots and machines. Experts from industry, academia, and research institutions in Korea and abroad will gather to share the latest technological developments in humanoid robotics and Physical AI and explore future directions for the industrial ecosystem.

Marine Heatwaves Pose Hidden Threat to Human Health

Adelaide University — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:45:00 EST

Researchers from Adelaide University and the University of Hong Kong are calling for marine heatwaves to be recognised as a major public health issue, arguing their impacts on people have been largely overlooked.

Illinois Study Reveals Major Genetic Weakness for Future Corn Breeding

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:40:35 EST

A new study led by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scientists reveals critically low genetic variation in one of the country's primary breeding stocks for corn. The finding relates specifically to grain yield in intermediate-maturity hybrids, which dominate commercial production in the U.S. and represent nearly a third of the world's corn production.

Single-Cell Atlas Reveals How Spinal Neurons Help Coordinate Walking and Other Rhythmic Movements

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:35:06 EST

The finding by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists gives researchers new targets for the treatment of spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative disorders.

A Taste of Discovery: Real-Time X-Ray Data Analysis with DONUT Accelerates Materials Science at Argonne

Argonne National Laboratory — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 19:50:18 EST

Argonne's DONUT, a machine learning tool, delivers real-time X-ray data analysis at the Advanced Photon Source, giving scientists faster insights into material structures and accelerating discovery in advanced materials research.

Fungi Enhance Hydrogels for Stronger, Safer Materials

Oak Ridge National Laboratory — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 19:50:05 EST

Researchers at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville, have made a scientific advance by using a natural substance from fungi, called chitin, to create hydrogels that are both significantly stronger and tougher. This new material could lead to safer medical devices, longer-lasting coatings and other innovations that improve everyday technology and health care.

Hello, my name is Charles - Charles Choi, Live Science

Newswise Expert Queries — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 19:00:00 EST

Hello, my name is Charles Choi, and I'm a science reporter in New York

Scientists Release Biggest 2D Map of the Universe

NSF's NOIRLab — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:40:47 EST

The newest DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys map, 13 years in the making, covers three-quarters of the sky and catalogs nearly four billion objects. This treasure trove is available to all and contains stars, galaxies, supernovae, gravitational lenses, and much more.

Gene Regulator Offers New Route to Control Banana Ripening

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:25:07 EST

A research team has identified MaLBD50 as a key positive regulator of banana ripening that accelerates starch breakdown by directly activating the β-amylase gene MaBMY1. Increasing MaLBD50 expression hastened ripening and reduced pulp starch, whereas silencing it delayed ripening and preserved starch. The discovery clarifies how bananas convert stored starch into sugars and identifies a promising molecular target for breeding fruit with adjustable ripening rates, improved postharvest quality, and potentially longer shelf life.

Computing Professor Wins $584K NSF CAREER Award for 'Smart Cities' Research

Binghamton University, State University of New York — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:20:56 EST

A professor at Binghamton University, State University of New York has won a $584,000 CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation to create AI models to improve commute times, traffic safety, and more in urban areas.

Digital Science Connects AI Agents to World-Leading Research Data with New Dimensions MCP Servers

Digital Science and Research Solutions Ltd — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 11:00:57 EST

Digital Science has announced the launch of new Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers for Dimensions, giving enterprise AI agents direct, license-aligned access to one of the world's largest interconnected global research databases.

Scientists Release Biggest 2D Map of the Universe

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 11:00:32 EST

The newest map from the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys was 13 years in the making and contains nearly 4 billion objects. The treasure trove is available to all and contains stars, galaxies, supernovae, gravitational lenses, and much more.

Researchers Achieve Long-Lasting and Renewable Chemical Production with Photosynthetic Microorganisms

Newswise Review — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 10:50:08 EST

Finnish researchers have taken an important step toward long-lasting production of renewable chemicals and fuels using photosynthetic microorganisms. By entrapping cyanobacteria engineered for ethylene production in thin nanocellulose films, the researchers enabled sustained ethylene production for more than four months and generated approximately twice as much ethylene as comparable suspension cultures.

Scientists Watch Antiferromagnetic Skyrmions Interact in Real Time

Newswise Review — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 10:40:43 EST

Researchers at JGU have visualized the interaction of magnetic vortices and shown that antiferromagnetic skyrmions move in line with an applied current