AGP Executive Report

Cancer Breakthrough: An experimental pill, daraxonrasib, targeting a common mutated protein in pancreatic cancer, helped people with advanced disease live longer in a New England Journal of Medicine report presented at ASCO. Brain Injury Research: Claude Lemieux’s family says it will donate his brain to Boston University’s CTE Center to study long-term effects of repetitive head impacts. Public Health & Data: Kenya’s electronic medical records rollout is getting cloud support via AWS Outposts, aiming to speed access while keeping sensitive data in-country. AI in Education: Azerbaijan and OpenAI are teaming up to build an AI-based adaptive learning platform for more than 500,000 students under the “Digital School” project. Environmental Science: A decade-long tracking study identifies Indonesia’s Saleh Bay and Cenderawasih Bay as year-round whale shark habitats and a key Indo-Pacific stronghold. Climate & Cities: A new study questions how much satellite rainfall data reflect real urban changes versus how we observe storms. Materials for a Cleaner Future: Researchers report “living plastics” that can fully break down in six days using cooperating bacterial strains, without producing microplastics. Tech & Safety: A flight reportedly turned around after a Bluetooth speaker name triggered security concerns, a reminder to avoid risky device naming.

Climate & Communities: A University of Alaska Fairbanks team is studying how a changing Kuskokwim River is stranding people longer in Southwest Alaska, with ice breakup impacts worsening for nearby residents. Sustainable Agriculture: Brock University opened its Norris W. Walker Research Farm “living laboratory” to expand its Clean Plant Program, aiming to scale certified virus-free grapevines for Canada’s grape and wine industry. Policy & Food Security: A Canadian political push urges the government to reverse closures of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research centres, warning the losses can’t be rebuilt and could hit long-term food security. Space Science: NASA is preparing the X-59 for its first supersonic flight, while scientists confirm a meteor explosion caused a loud Massachusetts boom. Health & Medicine: A Science review argues sleep may be the common pathway linking many dementia risks; meanwhile, a trial suggests many early breast cancer patients could safely avoid chemotherapy using a new gene test. Neuroscience: Researchers mapped the brain circuit behind why pain feels worse, and another study links dopamine to how long stress suppresses sexual behavior. AI & Research Tools: Google’s Co-Scientist moves toward public use after Nature documented lab-tested hypothesis generation. Cybersecurity: Microsoft is under fire after threatening legal action against a security researcher who disclosed unpatched Windows vulnerabilities. Biodiversity Crisis: Scientists are racing to save a rare Florida salamander as drought and predators push it toward an extinction vortex.

FBI & Universities: University of Georgia researchers say they received an “unexpected” FBI-visit playbook email, raising questions about how federal scrutiny is handled in academia. Agri-Food Science: Israeli researchers report a fungus-based extract can boost tomato yields and improve taste while reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers. Biodiversity & Citizen Science: Scotland’s temperate rainforest survey has logged 1,100+ species in a West Cowal project, using volunteers plus AI-assisted ID to build a new conservation baseline. Wildlife Conservation Policy: A marine biologist’s paper on Rice’s whale species naming has been pulled into a U.S. political debate over whether protections are warranted. Medical Breakthrough: A University of Toronto-led pathway discovery is feeding into a phase 3 sleep apnea drug trial showing less airway obstruction and higher oxygen vs placebo. Climate/Physics Curiosities: New work explores how “cutting” photons could create bizarre quantum states, while other studies probe why large earthquakes don’t always trigger volcanic eruptions. Tech & Research Infrastructure: Georgia regulators are reviewing air permits for Core Scientific data-center backup generators, and a new smart electrochromic “multicolor film” points to next-gen building glazing. Health & Society: A koala chlamydia vaccine claim is challenged after researchers say a “crazy mistake” undermined the results.

Biomedical Breakthroughs: A new study reports a potential cure for chronic hepatitis B, with about 20% of participants cleared using an investigational drug now awaiting FDA approval. Brain & Health Tech: Gladstone researchers mapped how the brain clears waste proteins, tracking the routes out of the brain and how Alzheimer’s disrupts the process. Cancer Care & Public Health: University of Chicago Medicine found an opt-out, automated outreach program can make smoking cessation routine in cancer centers, improving access to counseling and medication. AI for Medicine: UK and France announced an AI-and-imaging partnership to speed women’s health research, targeting under-diagnosed conditions like endometriosis. Research Safety: A new protocol study says many amyloid PET research studies fail to screen for prior radiation exposure, and the added screening meaningfully improves participant protection. Earth & Space: Scientists confirmed a rare deep-mantle earthquake once thought impossible, and a citizen-science eclipse project found people feel more like “scientists” after hands-on observation. Education & Training: RIT and UB launched a pharmacy/biopharma pathway, while a Nepal health-science university announced new MBBS classes.

AI in Everyday Science: A new wave of AI capability is being framed as already accelerating protein-structure work like AlphaFold, speeding drug discovery and lowering costs. Space & Math for Satellites: Chinese researchers used deep mathematics to enable in-orbit, autonomous calibration for high-precision satellite constellations, reducing dependence on ground teams. Cancer Breakthrough: A small US trial reports pancreatic tumors shrinking after virus injections in three patients, with early signals of promise. Health & Brain: McMaster researchers link long-term air pollution exposure to measurable differences in brain health on cognitive tests. Nutrition & Energy: Japanese researchers report that low vitamin B12/folate intake may help explain persistent fatigue and low drive, even in otherwise healthy adults. Smart Materials: A Turku PhD project created thin polymer films that can store electrical energy and change colour, pointing to self-tinting energy-storing windows. Climate Alarm: Glaciers in the Pamir “roof of the world” show sudden accelerated melt, with record ice loss since 2022. Policy & Funding: New Zealand’s 2026 budget shifts money toward priority research pillars and commercialisation, drawing expert criticism over past cuts. Research Integrity Watch: UK firm SkinBioTherapeutics says its investigation into former CEO conduct and FY25 financial statements is complete, with results due soon.

Cancer & Health: Columbia researchers report a gene driving neuroendocrine prostate cancer, with Sirtuin 1 inhibition blocking tumor growth in mice—potentially pointing to new treatments beyond standard androgen deprivation. GLP-1s & Brain: New research links weight-loss on GLP-1 drugs to lower risk of obesity-related conditions, while another report suggests these drugs may change brain connectivity in some patients. Vaping Safety: A review in Carcinogenesis raises concern that nicotine e-cigarettes may increase cancer risk via DNA damage and chronic inflammation. Immunity & Energy: A Science Immunology study highlights how mitochondria help immune cells ramp up during infection, but can become dysregulated in chronic inflammation and cancer. Biology & Evolution: Scientists find Scottish wrens on remote islands are evolving into much larger birds—an island gigantism effect. Animal Navigation: A Science study suggests pigeons’ magnetic compass is embedded in immune cells in the liver. Agriculture & Policy: Beekeepers fear a USDA lab closure could disrupt bee disease diagnosis and threaten pollination and crop output. Research Infrastructure: UF details how an AI supercomputer investment became a university-wide AI push, and Ohio University showcases growing use of a state supercomputing center.

Marine Biodiversity: Scientists used CT scans of a preserved specimen to describe a new tiny blue octopus species, Microeleodon galapagensis, from deep waters near the Galapagos. Climate & Sea Level: The “Doomsday Glacier” (Thwaites) is poised to lose an ice shelf this year, threatening faster ice loss and future coastal flooding. Health & Aging: A Nature study links slower biological aging to sleeping about 6.4–7.8 hours; both short and long sleep raise health risks. Neuroscience: Researchers report no widespread brain inflammation in long COVID; symptoms track more with emotion, stress and memory brain activity. Parkinson’s: A University of Pennsylvania team identifies a brain immune protein (GPNMB) that may help Parkinson’s spread, pointing to antibody-based early-stage slowing. Research Policy: California’s Senate advances a $12B science bond for a November ballot, while a new framework urges business schools to measure real-world research impact beyond academia. Antarctica Safety: South Korea prosecutors say a researcher allegedly threatened crew with a self-made 47-centimeter blade at Jang Bogo Station. AI & Values: A BYU-led consortium finds major AI models show gaps and bias around faith and religion.

Space Tech & Mars Manufacturing: University of Arkansas researchers report metal 3D printing could work in a carbon dioxide atmosphere closer to Mars conditions, though rust between layers may weaken parts. Planetary Science & AI: NASA Perseverance images are being mined with machine learning to spot new Martian dust devils, aiming to automate detection of weather-like phenomena on other worlds. Ocean Worlds Probing: A study models how electromagnetic sounding from a future Enceladus orbiter or lander could reveal ocean properties like salinity and temperature. Public Health & Policy: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a vape tax that funnels $3 million a year to pediatric cancer research. Science Diplomacy: Cambodia used the 10th ASEAN Science Diplomats Assembly to push climate resilience and regional collaboration. Research Funding & Infrastructure: Missouri S&T won $2M from the U.S. DOE to build AI tools for concrete supply-chain security using alternative materials. Local Science Community: An Earth Sciences student forum at the Buffalo Science Museum brought together undergrads and postdocs with poster talks for about 100 attendees.

Hydrogen Push: Trakia University will host an international Hydrogen Technologies forum on May 28–29, spotlighting clean power and mobility and tying into its H2START centre of excellence. Ebola Vaccine Race (No Shortcuts): UK researchers working on a new Ebola vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain stress that outbreak control still starts with contact tracing and case isolation. Health & Metabolism: Zealand Pharma says late-breaking Phase 2 ZUPREME-1 data on petrelintide will be presented at the ADA’s 2026 Scientific Sessions. Research Funding Pressure: A new NIH plan would forward-fund more competing grants up front, a move critics say could squeeze next-year budgets for fresh studies. Food & Waste Innovation: Taiwan’s Fisheries Research Institute turns grouper head byproducts into a high-protein sports drink powder, while a Carrigaline researcher’s toy-sharing app reports thousands of toys re-homed and plastic saved. Climate Reality Check: Greece faces major heat mortality increases by 2040, according to a new analysis.

Visa Crisis in Research: A University of Iowa researcher says he’s “stranded” in Germany after U.S. visa delays, suing the State Department and naming officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Health Science: New work explains why statins can trigger muscle pain by showing how they disrupt calcium handling in muscle cells. Policy Shock: Vermont becomes the first U.S. state to ban paraquat, citing Parkinson’s-linked risks, while allowing limited orchard permits. AI in the Real World: Nobel laureate Klaus Klitzing urges AI to stay a tool for human-led research, not a driver of scientific claims. Energy Safety: Researchers unveil a zero-power leak sensor for hydrogen storage and transport that only activates when hydrogen is present. Cancer Progress: MUSC scientists target the cells behind relapse in aggressive childhood brain tumors, aiming to stop tumors from coming back.

Africa CDC & Lab Capacity: Africa CDC is set to spotlight Africa-led disease solutions at Liberia’s CelebrateLAB West Africa Conference (May 26–27), including a new therapeutic repurposing push as Ebola alerts linger in parts of the DRC and Uganda. Earth & Space Science: Researchers report asteroid impact craters may have helped trigger Earth’s early oxygen rise, while a separate team maps a lower-fuel route through the Interplanetary Transportation Network to make future Moon missions cheaper. Health & Research Infrastructure: Sciensus appoints Dr. Sameer Mistry as Chief Medical Officer, and Shanghai launches Boston Scientific-led medtech innovation with partners Danaher and Siemens Healthineers. Policy & Public Trust: In Kyrgyzstan, scientists warn wastewater treatment is failing—over 40% of facilities don’t treat properly—while in the Philippines, food manufacturers urge regulators to use more science-based, practical input on nutrition rules.

Lakers Front Office, Meets Aerospace: The Los Angeles Lakers’ first major offseason move is hiring Rohan Ramadas as assistant general manager under Rob Pelinka, with a remit focused on “cap, analytics and data” after his strategy-and-operations work with the New Orleans Pelicans—yes, he’s been dubbed a “literal rocket scientist.” Biomed Breakthroughs: Roswell Park researchers are set to present five cancer studies at ASCO, while new work reports a way to freeze and revive living brain tissue by blocking ice-crystal damage. Space & Life Sciences: China sent artificial human embryo models to the Tiangong station for early-development research, and scientists unveiled a new 43-foot mosasaur species from Texas. Environment & Health: Satellite-based tracking finds global river oxygen levels are falling, and a new system aims to detect melanoma earlier using subtle skin temperature changes. Policy & Ethics: China issued ethical guidelines for human genetic data research, as US-China science ties keep fraying.

Deep-Sea Discovery: Scientists report a new rare blue octopus species near the Galápagos, spotted by remotely operated dives at about 1,800 meters and now described after specimen work. AI for Food: In Andalucía, researchers use AI to link genetics and growing conditions to strawberry flavor and aroma, aiming to speed up breeding for sweeter, more climate-resilient fruit. Climate and Energy: A UK study finds coal-plant pollution cuts global solar output by 5.8% in 2023 (111 TWh), with the biggest hit in densely industrial regions. Rising Seas: New analysis warns New Orleans could be surrounded by ocean this century and says relocation planning should start now. Amazon Carbon Risk: Storms and drier air are speeding biomass turnover in the Amazon, potentially weakening long-term carbon storage. Biodiversity Push: Indonesia’s BRIN says it has described 29 new plant species, underscoring how much remains unknown beyond Java.

Pancreatic Cancer Breakthrough: A long-sought “undruggable” weakness in KRAS is looking suddenly druggable, with Revolution Medicines’ daraxonrasib reported to double survival versus standard chemo as regulators expand access while details head to ASCO. Public Health Heatwave: India’s southern states are reporting at least 16 heatstroke deaths as temperatures push past 45°C, with officials urging protection for elderly, children, and pregnant people. Smart Lab Tools: China unveiled Yuanyan-1, an autonomous transmission electron microscope that can generate in weeks what traditional systems take about a year to produce. Education & Equity: Sierra Leone’s WASSCE science students are being forced into dangerous river crossings because local labs are missing. Space & Science: China launched Shenzhou-23 for a new long-duration stay and frontier experiments at Tiangong. Health Tech: A new dry-eye approach uses spinach photosynthesis machinery to help inflamed corneas respond to light.

CTE Push in Schools: New survey data says 60% of K-12 educators and administrators have expanded career and technical education over the past five years, with rising student interest in digital tech, AI, and cybersecurity—but only 23% rate their CTE programs an “A,” leaving a clear gap for better support and smarter messaging. Forensic Justice: A Madlanga Commission task team has arrested a South African Police Service forensic lab captain on charges tied to “defeating the ends of justice,” with ballistic reports and other materials seized. Health & Safety in the Real World: Ottawa researchers report woodchips on trails can cut tick numbers—untreated chips cut them about half, while pesticide-treated chips cut them by 99%. Energy Breakthrough: China’s perovskite solar work reports record tandem efficiencies (30.3% rigid, 28.0% flexible). Climate Stress: India’s heatwave has killed at least 16 people from heatstroke, with officials urging precautions.

K-12 CTE Push: New data says 60% of educators have expanded career and technical education, with demand rising fast in digital tech, AI, and cybersecurity—but only 23% rate their programs an “A,” leaving a big opening for better support and smarter outreach. Shipwreck Ecology: An Oxford PhD is linking Falkland Islands shipwrecks to ecosystem impacts, pairing lab work with an ocean-user survey. Food and Farming Threats: UC Davis research challenges long-held assumptions about gray mold defenses, suggesting scientists may have been targeting the wrong problem. Urban Wildlife: A continent-wide test finds birds don’t consistently raise pitch in noisy cities—so the “sing louder” story is more complicated. Health and Aging: A study links chewing efficiency to nutrition and frailty in older adults. Neuroscience Breakthrough: Researchers report neural mechanisms for how the brain recombines abstract symbols for creative thought. Materials and Energy: A kitchen-ingredient device turns ambient moisture into electricity for wearables and smart homes. Environment and Climate: New work on Antarctic water properties ties ocean shifts to past CO2 changes, while climate reporting continues to debate which future scenarios are most plausible.