4-Jun-2026 A smarter catalyst to turn carbon dioxide and waste into fertilizer National University of Singapore Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a computation-guided strategy to produce urea more efficiently from carbon dioxide and nitrate. By combining large language models, density functional theory calculations and experiments, the approach identified a cadmium-modified iron oxide catalyst that maintains high urea selectivity at practical current densities. Journal Nature
3-Jun-2026 Can the weather boost your mood? Texas A&M University A new study suggests the weather may have an effect on how people feel. Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the research found that daily outdoor temperatures are linked to changes in mood, energy levels and sleep quality, adding to a growing body of research examining how environmental factors influence mental health. Funder Intramural Research Program, Intramural Research Program
3-Jun-2026 Finding the best ways for humans and robots to work together requires "swarm" thinking, new research finds Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences If the future of warehouse work belongs to humans and robots working side by side, a key question remains: What is the most effective way for them to collaborate? New research published in Transportation Science, a journal of INFORMS, suggests the answer may be more flexible than many warehouse operators expect. The study, "Picking the Best Bot: Collaboration Strategies for Humans and Bots in Order Pick Systems with Traveling Salesman Problem Routing," found that under many real-world conditions, warehouse workers achieve higher productivity when they dynamically switch among multiple autonomous mobile robots rather than work exclusively with a single robot.
3-Jun-2026 Genome unlocks Xuedan’s medicinal chemistry Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science A chromosome-level genome has opened a new window into how Hemsleya ellipsoidea, a medicinal cucurbit known as Xuedan, evolved its unusual ability to accumulate cucurbitacin IIa (CuIIa), a bioactive triterpenoid associated with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. Journal Horticulture Research
3-Jun-2026 To curb overprescribing for seniors, researchers urge annual prescription checkups McGill University To address the growing problem of overprescribing for seniors, a new Canadian guideline is calling for routine medication reviews. In Canada, roughly two in three adults age 65 or older take five or more medications. While often necessary, complex drug regimens can increase the risk of side effects and affect quality of life. Journal Canadian Family Physician
3-Jun-2026 Unlocking the fresh aroma of litchi Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science Fresh aroma is one of the qualities that makes litchi immediately recognizable, yet the chemistry and genetics behind this sensory trait have remained unclear. Journal Horticulture Research
3-Jun-2026 Breaking up is hard – but how you do it might make moving on easier University of Ottawa Summary Study by uOttawa researchers finds positively moving on from a break-up is easier for both ex-partners if the initiator was autonomy-supportive during the break-up; Being “autonomy-supportive” - being honest, using non-controlling language and taking time to acknowledge the other person – is key; Whereas an initiator being honest and sharing a non-controlling reason were associated with higher positive vitality post-break-up, ongoing contact with one’s ex was associated with higher depression and anxiety. Journal Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
3-Jun-2026 Native plants dominate Guangzhou’s urban greenery: research reveals unique diversity patterns across subtropical city South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences Field investigation from CAS scientists uncovers zoning-driven vascular plant diversity gaps and invasive risks in three main urban green space types of subtropical Guangzhou to guide urban biodiversity conservation. Journal Biological Diversity Funder Guangdong Flagship Project of Basic and Applied Basic Research, Youth Innovation Promotion Association, National Natural Science Foundation of China
3-Jun-2026 New consensus framework aims to improve safety and transparency in medical LLM deployment Chinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd. Experts propose standardized evaluation framework to support the safe integration of AI in healthcare Journal Intelligent Medicine
3-Jun-2026 Humans can use their voice to instruct dogs without words Eötvös Loránd University Humans can communicate various instructions to dogs without using actual words – simply by modulating the tone of their voice, a new study from ELTE University’s Department of Ethology shows. By repeating the nonsense syllable ‘bü’ in different intonations, humans successfully signaled ‘Yes’, ‘No’, ‘Here’, and ‘There’ and, remarkably, dogs responded correctly, despite receiving no prior training. The findings reveal ancient acoustic codes, interpretable across species, that predate language itself. The study was published in Cognition, and a video abstract presenting it is also available. Journal Cognition
