Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Study could change how scientists measure the universe

University of Missouri scientists challenge a decades-old assumption used by astronomers to estimate the mass and evolution of distant galaxies

University of Missouri-Columbia

University of Missouri researchers have uncovered evidence that challenges one of astronomy’s most trusted assumptions, a breakthrough that could reshape how scientists measure galaxies and reconstruct the history of the universe.

For decades, astronomers have estimated the number of small, unseen stars in distant galaxies using a mathematical rule that assumed stars form in roughly the same proportions everywhere in the universe.

Scientists from Mizzou’s College of Arts and Science found that isn’t always the case. Instead, the ratio of large and small stars appears to depend on the environment in which they formed.

The discovery could help astronomers make more accurate estimates of galaxy mass, age and evolution. The findings may also help explain why some galaxies observed by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope appear more massive than expected because those galaxies may simply have formed stars differently than astronomers once assumed.

“One of astronomy’s basic assumptions may be oversimplified,” Charles Steinhardt, an astronomy professor and co-author of the study, said. “Other galaxies weren’t breaking the laws of physics — we were measuring them with the wrong yardstick.”

That yardstick is the initial mass function, or IMF. Because astronomers cannot directly observe most of the smallest, faintest stars in distant galaxies, they use the IMF to estimate how many should exist based on the brighter stars they can see. That approach has been a cornerstone of modern astronomy for more than 50 years.

To test their idea, Mizzou researchers analyzed data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission, which has mapped nearly 2 billion stars in the Milky Way. They focused on star clusters, or groups of stars that formed together under similar conditions. Comparing those clusters allowed the researchers to test whether stars form in the same proportions everywhere.

If the IMF were truly universal, every cluster would contain a similar mix of stars. Instead, the researchers found significant differences from cluster to cluster, suggesting local conditions influence the types of stars that form.

Rather than discarding the IMF, the researchers propose refining it by accounting for the different types of environments where stars form.

“The pattern we found is surprisingly clean,” Carter Meyerhoff, an undergraduate researcher and co-author of the study, said. “Instead of applying the same model to every galaxy, astronomers could account for the conditions under which stars formed and select the IMF that best matches that environment.”

The findings point to a more flexible framework for understanding star formation and interpreting observations of distant galaxies.

“We’ve found that the universe is more complicated than we assumed,” Steinhardt said. “But we’re also getting closer to measuring it correctly.”

The study, “Direct evidence for stellar initial mass function variation in the Milky Way,” was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Alexander Luening at University of Rochester also contributed to the study.

Journal

The Astrophysical Journal Letters

DOI

10.3847/2041-8213/ae7444

Article Title

Direct evidence for stellar initial mass function variation in the Milky Way

Aston University research sheds more light on the antimicrobial properties of mānuka honey

Aston University

Mānuka honey has been proven to be effective against respiratory pathogens but researchers do not fully understand the mechanisms
New research led by Dr Jonathan Cox with New Zealand mānuka honey firm Comvita has shown that a variety of bioactive compounds contribute
As antibiotic resistance rises, understanding how possible alternatives work will be important for their effective use and application.

New research at Aston University has shown that a variety of compounds is responsible for the antimicrobial action of mānuka honey, not just the sugar content and methylglyoxal (MGO) alone, as previously thought.

Mānuka honey has already been proven to be effective against numerous disease-causing bacteria. As many bacteria become increasingly resistant to antibiotics, new approaches and treatments are required. Mānuka honey has so far not been associated with the development of resistance in the same way as antibiotics and is attracting interest. Understanding what makes mānuka honey effective is important if it is to be used consistently and effectively in future healthcare applications.

The researchers, led by Dr Jonathan Cox, a senior lecturer in biosciences at Aston University and head of the Mycobacterial Research Group, worked in partnership with scientists at New Zealand mānuka honey producer Comvita Limited to test honey with different Unique Mānuka Factor (UMF) ratings. UMF ranges from 5+ to 20+, representing a measure of the amount of MGO in the honey and guarantees that it meets the New Zealand government regulatory standard. The team tested the different honeys in the laboratory on a range of bacteria that cause respiratory infections.

The antimicrobial activity of the honey increased with increasing UMF, which was unsurprising. Dr Cox and the team also tested the antimicrobial activity of artificial formulations containing equivalent concentrations of sugar and MGO, but the antimicrobial effect could not be replicated, suggesting that additional bioactive compounds, or interactions between compounds, are responsible.

It was previously thought that the antimicrobial activity came from the MGO and the sugar content, but Dr Cox and the team have now shown that this is not the case.

The team are continuing to work closely with Comvita to identify and characterise the additional compounds that are responsible for the enhanced antimicrobial activity found in higher UMF mānuka honey. They will also look to determine how the compounds interact. Understanding these active components may support the development of more effective honey-derived therapeutics and antimicrobial products.

Dr Cox said:

“Mānuka honey is often viewed through the lens of a single compound, methylglyoxal, but our findings show that the story is far more complex. High-grade mānuka honey appears to derive its antimicrobial activity from a combination of factors working together, and understanding those interactions could help unlock new approaches to tackling infection in an era of increasing antimicrobial resistance.

“It turns out, the very nature of mānuka honey, in all its complexity, may hold a powerful solution to the emerging global AMR crisis. We just need to learn how best to use it."

Dr Jackie Evans, Comvita Limited chief science officer, said:

"Mānuka honey has long been recognised for its unique antimicrobial properties. This exciting new research shows that methylglyoxal (MGO) is only part of the story. Comvita is proud to be at the forefront of mānuka honey science, and while this is early-stage research, it highlights the importance of understanding the other bioactive compounds that contribute to its unique antimicrobial properties. Discoveries such as these are helping unlock the full potential of mānuka honey."

To read the full paper, 'UMF-dependent antimicrobial activity of Mānuka honey against respiratory pathogens cannot be explained by sugar and methylglyoxal alone' in Microbiology, visit www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.001746.

Journal

Microbiology

DOI

10.1099/mic.0.001746

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Unique Mānuka Factor (UMF)-dependent antimicrobial activity of Mānuka honey against respiratory pathogens cannot be explained by sugar and methylglyoxal alone

Article Publication Date

11-Aug-2026

COI Statement

T.L.M. and J.E. are employees of Comvita Ltd. Comvita Ltd. co-funded the PhD studentship of G.J.A., supplied the Mānuka honey samples and performed the HPLC analysis used to determine methylglyoxal concentrations. The remaining authors declare that there are no additional conflicts of interest.

SwRI evaluating, improving inhalers for people with breathing difficulties

Multidisciplinary project combines computer modeling with particle and pharmaceutical sciences

Southwest Research Institute

Airway Model — image:
A Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) project is developing techniques to improve inhalers for young children and others with breathing difficulties. This bisected model of a child’s airway allows the researchers to test new inhaler designs to reduce drug deposition in the mouth and throat, increase penetration of particles into the lungs, and allow weak inhalation from a young child or very sick person to pull enough medicine into the lungs.
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Credit: Southwest Research Institute

SAN ANTONIO — August 11, 2026 — A Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) project is developing techniques to improve inhalers for young children and other people who can’t inhale deeply. The multidisciplinary team of researchers is creating a more effective inhaler for people who can’t manage the strong, deep breath crucial for maximum benefit from standard inhalers. This work combines computational fluid dynamics (CFD), particle science, and pharmaceutical science to achieve improved designs. The internally funded project is a collaboration between three SwRI divisions: Mechanical Engineering, Powertrain Engineering, and Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

“For children and people with conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, some inhalers don’t reliably get enough medicine into the lungs,” said Dr. Raouf Tajik, a research engineer in SwRI’s Mechanical Engineering Division and the project’s leader. “A lot of the medication remains in the mouth and throat or within the device instead of reaching deep in the airways. That wastes medicine and delivers an uncertain dosage.”

To remedy this, SwRI is creating and testing new inhaler designs that reduce deposition in the mouth and throat, increase penetration of particles into the lungs, and allow weak inhalation from a young child or very sick person to pull enough medicine into the lungs.

Tajik led the CFD modeling, which simulated how air flows through a child’s airway, and how particles from an inhaler deliver medication to the mouth, throat, and deeper airways.

SwRI Institute Engineer Dr. Imad Khalek oversees SwRI’s Particle Science and Technology facility, which specializes in airborne particles. As part of SwRI’s Powertrain Engineering Division, the facility normally studies particle emissions from automobile engines and batteries under fire. Khalek’s team used a breathing simulator machine connected to a 3D-printed model of a child’s airway to characterize the medicinal particles and pathways.

“We tested both dry and wet surface versions of the airway to mimic real, moist human airways,” Khalek said. “This helped us to see that moisture changes how deeply inhaled particles penetrate."

Staff in SwRI’s Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division acted as subject matter experts for the particles and materials used in the inhaler. Dry powder inhalers use two components: a larger carrier particle and the much smaller drug particle. When particles are too small, users tend to exhale them. When they’re too big, they often won’t penetrate deeply into the lungs.

“The variability with inhalers can be significant and potentially dangerous: overdosing can lead to adverse effects while underdosing can make treatments ineffective,” said SwRI Institute Scientist Dr. James Oxley, who leads the chemical engineering aspects of the project. “An improved design could deliver potentially more potent drugs that currently aren’t suitable for inhalers because of that variability.”

For more information, visit https://www.swri.org/markets/electronics-automation/computational-modeling-simulation-tools/computational-fluid-dynamics/fluids-engineering-cfd.

A Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) project is striving to improve inhalers for young children and people who can’t inhale strongly. The researchers are using CFD modeling to simulate how air flows through a child’s airway, and how particles from an inhaler deliver medication to the mouth, throat, and deeper airways.

Credit

Southwest Research Institute

Electric buses in cold climates: Optimizing operations is key, researchers say

McGill University-led study suggests additional vehicles and slow charging would make transit networks in these regions eco-friendlier and more cost-effective

McGill University

A McGill University study recommends cold-climate cities increase their electric bus fleets and expand charging capacity so vehicles can be charged slowly, a process that draws less power from the grid than fast charging.

Efficient energy use is particularly important in cold weather, when electric batteries drain more quickly and use more energy than in milder conditions, they noted.

The researchers said their approach could help these cities fully electrify transit systems, eliminating reliance on diesel.

“Anyone can operate an electric bus fleet, but minimizing operating and environmental costs should be a concern, because everyone is paying for these systems,” said Luis Miranda-Moreno, an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering. “We are trying to help bring awareness and build tools that reduce costs.”

The study is the first to model electric bus operations at the municipal level in winter conditions.

Digital model reveals energy consumption

The researchers created a digital model simulating Quebec City’s electric bus network and infrastructure. This allowed them to see how buses, rider behaviour and other traffic interacted.

From this data, they estimated the buses’ energy consumption. They then considered various weather conditions and assessed the impact on the network’s performance, finding that winter increased energy demand by 30 per cent.

The team also considered two charging scenarios: fast charging, in which more powerful chargers recharge buses quickly but demand more power, and slow charging, wherein charging is less power-intensive but requires more time.

The researchers’ optimization tool then determined how to best reduce energy consumption while making fleet operations feasible in the real world. Possibilities included fine-tuning bus fleet size and charging schedules, as well as adjusting battery thresholds. Their tool demonstrated that slower charging, an increased fleet size and more chargers would demand less power and be more cost-effective than current approaches.

“In Canada, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to fleet electrification. This type of analysis helps cities understand how winter conditions affect electric bus operations, charging needs and grid capacity, so fleet planning and power infrastructure can be aligned," said Jônatas Augusto Manzolli, lead researcher and a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Civil Engineering.

The researchers noted that this type of tool could be critical not just for managing climate-change impacts, but for cutting operating costs, given that transit agencies often run deficits. Future studies will assess transit operations for Montreal and Ottawa.

About this study

“Planning resilient electric bus operations in cold regions: An agent-based simulation-optimization framework,” by Jônatas Augusto Manzolli, Alessandro Vissarios D’Apice, Luis Miranda-Moreno et al, was published in Applied Energy.

Funding was provided by the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies.

Journal

Applied Energy

DOI

10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.127735

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Planning resilient electric bus operations in cold regions: An agent-based simulation–optimization framework

Ancient warming event hints at potential climate 'tipping point'

Melting permafrost 304 million years ago might have released vast amounts of carbon into atmosphere

University of Cincinnati

Researchers say a spike in temperatures during an ice age 304 million years ago could inform what climate scientists are learning about rapidly changing conditions today.

University of Cincinnati Professor Thomas Algeo worked with a team of international researchers, including lead author Le Yao from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, to examine a period of rapid warming that occurred during the Late Paleozoic Ice Age, the second most recent ice age on Earth.

They found that a small spike in global sea surface temperatures led to a far bigger one fed by the release of methane into the atmosphere from melting permafrost. Global sea surface temperatures climbed by more than 7 degrees Celsius or 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It was supported with grants from Peking University and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Algeo noted that the change occurred over tens of thousands of years at a rate of about a tenth of a degree Celsius increase every 1,000 years. By comparison, researchers today have observed a nearly 1 degree Celsius increase of sea surface temperature in just the past 100 years.

Possibly triggered by volcanic activity and aided by a cyclical variation in the shape of Earth’s orbit that influences the distribution of solar radiation, a modest release of carbon crossed a “climatic tipping point that led to massive carbon release and transient global warming.”

Researchers said an increase in temperatures today could speed melting of permafrost, releasing trapped carbon that could create a positive feedback loop that contributes to more warming.

Rapid warming on Earth more typically happens under what scientists call “greenhouse conditions” when the atmosphere has high amounts of methane and carbon dioxide that trap heat.

Algeo said some people are surprised to learn that all of recorded human history has taken place in the midst of the most recent ice age. Its peak called a glacial maximum occurred about 20,000 years ago when woolly mammoths, cave bears and giant ground sloths roamed the Earth.

“We’re technically in an ice age because there are two continent-scale ice masses in Greenland and Antarctica,” he said. “What makes this warming event 304 million years ago unique is that it occurred during an ice age. That’s what makes this event important as an analog for modern-day climate warming.”

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI

10.1073/pnas.2601643123

Article Title

A transient global warming event during Earth’s penultimate icehouse

Article Publication Date

10-Aug-2026

University of Cincinnati Professor Thomas Algeo pulls out rock cores to examine in his geosciences lab.

Credit

Andrew Higley

An iceberg off Antarctica.

A tabular iceberg off Antarctica.

An iceberg melts on the Southern Ocean.

Credit

Michael Miller

US Food and Drug Administration clears first self-balancing personal exoskeleton for people with spinal cord injury

Kessler Foundation participates in pivotal FDA clearance study

Kessler Foundation

FDA-Cleared Eve™ Exoskeleton Enables Standing and Movement — image:
Eve™, Wandercraft’s newly FDA-cleared self-balancing personal exoskeleton, is designed to support hands-free standing and movement for eligible adults living with spinal cord injuries.
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Credit: Wandercraft

East Hanover, NJ, August 11, 2026 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared Eve™, the first self-balancing personal exoskeleton for eligible wheelchair users living with spinal cord injury. Kessler Foundation was among the three U.S. research sites that participated in the clinical study supporting the clearance.

The FDA clearance marks a significant milestone in the advancement of mobility technologies that have the potential to expand independence and participation in daily life for people living with spinal cord injury.

FDA clearance was supported by a three-site clinical trial involving participants with spinal cord injury and their companions at Kessler Foundation, the James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, and the Walk in New York by Wandercraft walk center, New York, NY.

Eve enables eligible adults with spinal cord injury who can operate the device's remote control to walk and perform certain activities of daily living hands-free using self-balancing technology. The device is intended for use on level indoor surfaces and adjacent outdoor areas under the supervision of a specially trained companion.

The clinical trial focused on safety, function, training, and readiness for personal use. Participants represented a range of injury severities and completed structured training before undergoing functional, usability, and task-based assessments designed to reflect intended use in everyday environments.

The clinical program demonstrated that participants and companions could learn to operate Eve and complete activities relevant to personal use. Participants also met key functional and usability endpoints, including measures of walking performance and activities of daily living.

“What makes these findings meaningful is that the technology was evaluated not only on engineering performance but also on how users and companions could safely integrate it into real-world activities,” said Gail Forrest, PhD, director of the Tim and Caroline Reynolds Center for Spinal Stimulation at Kessler Foundation. “The combination of functional performance, usability, and user-reported outcomes gives this technology substantial clinical relevance.”

“At Kessler Foundation, our mission is to advance research that leads to real-world solutions for people with disabilities,” said Rodger DeRose, president and chief executive officer of Kessler Foundation. “The FDA clearance of Eve represents the kind of innovation that can help translate years of scientific discovery into meaningful opportunities for greater independence, mobility, and participation in everyday life. We are proud that Kessler Foundation's researchers and study participants contributed to this important milestone.”

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, an estimated 308,620 people in the U.S. are living with traumatic spinal cord injury, with approximately 18,400 new cases occurring each year. For many individuals, the ability to stand and move upright can affect physical health, social engagement, and participation in everyday activities.

Participants in the study reported improvements in several aspects of daily life, including health status, psychological well-being, endurance during daily activities, lower-limb spasticity, and sitting balance. Some participants also reported improvements in sleep quality and bladder and bowel function.

Wandercraft plans to commercially launch Eve in the United States on Sept. 17, 2026.

About Kessler Foundation
Kessler Foundation, founded in 1985, is a New Jersey-based nonprofit and global leader in rehabilitation research committed to changing the lives of people with disabilities. By conducting groundbreaking research, Kessler Foundation advances recovery and fosters independence to build a more inclusive and accessible world.

Our team of award-winning scientists develop and test novel interventions to transform care and optimize mobility, cognition, and quality of life for people with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, autism, and other neurological and developmental disabilities. By analyzing community and workforce participation, developing evidence-based solutions, and funding impactful community initiatives that expand employment opportunities, Kessler Foundation also addresses barriers to inclusion for people with disabilities.

Powered by a dedicated team of over 175 professionals funded by federal and state grants and private philanthropy, Kessler Foundation is redefining what is possible in rehabilitation care and recovery. For more information, visit kesslerfoundation.org.