Clay weekly context brief for the University category (ISO week 2026-W34). Clay tracks publications from the University feed list. Below are recent items from this category, each with its source and a short description of what the publication covers when one is available in the source feed. Recent publications: 1. Drug that targets an inflammatory enzyme could help prevent lung cancer Source: MIT News Link: https://news.mit.edu/2026/drug-targeting-inflammatory-enzyme-could-help-prevent-lung-cancer-0814 These lung tumor cells show high levels of the enzyme caspase-1 (green and red stains). This image was taken early in the tumor's development. 2. The Met acquires designer jackets from NUS law don Source: National University of Singapore News Link: https://news.nus.edu.sg/the-met-acquires-designer-jackets-from-nus-law-don/ The Straits Times, 14 August 2026, Life, pC3 3. Cloning could be used to save speciesor make human organ sacks Source: MIT Technology Link: https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/08/14/1141919/cloning-save-species-or-make-human-organ-sacks/ This week I spoke to scientists who have found a way to turn male mouse embryos female. 4. Could bemotrizinol change sunscreen in the U.S.? Source: Stanford News Link: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2026/08/sunscreen-science-experts-facts-bemotrizinol The FDA finally gave the green light to bemotrizinol. Stanford Medicine experts share why its considered a massive leap forward for skin health in the U.S. 5. Clearing the air: Public prefers natural approaches to curbing climate change Source: University of Michigan News Link: https://news.umich.edu/clearing-the-air-public-prefers-natural-approaches-to-curbing-climate-change/ Public support for climate solutions isn't just about whether the technique worksit's also about whether people perceive it as a natural process. 6. Engineered microbe speeds CO2 capture, recovers critical metals Source: Cornell Physical Science Engineering Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/engineered-microbe-speeds-co2-capture-recovers-critical-metals A genetically engineered bacterium can rapidly break down one of Earths most abundant minerals, opening a promising new pathway for removing CO2 from the atmosphere and recovering critical elements, according to new Cornell research. 7. Many paths, one destination: Cornell welcomes new students Source: Cornell Energy Environmental Sustainability Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/many-paths-one-destination-cornell-welcomes-new-students The 3,681 first-year students and 603 transfers who begin moving to campus Aug. 17, hail from 49 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and American Samoa, and 62 countries. 8. What the framers were really thinking Source: Harvard Gazette Link: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2026/08/what-the-framers-were-really-thinking/ Origin story of Declaration of Independence involves more than just embrace of Enlightenment ideas, scholars say 9. Cornell PhD students create inventory drone and weeding robot Source: Cornell Business Economics Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/cornell-phd-students-create-inventory-drone-and-weeding-robot The AugustStartup Cornell podcast features doctoral students Doris Xu and Katrina Davis, two founders who were part of a summerPrototyping Hardware Accelerator at Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, a business incubator and startup workspace in downtown Ithaca. 10. Ari Juels receives USENIX Security Test of Time Award Source: Cornell Computing Information Science Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/ari-juels-receives-usenix-security-test-time-award A decade later, his paper is widely recognized as foundational to the field of AI security. 11. New fellowships link research, communities, youth purpose Source: Cornell Social Behavioural Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/new-fellowships-link-research-communities-youth-purpose ThePurpose Science and Innovation Exchange has received a three-year, $3.5 million grant from theBezos Family Foundation to launch two new fellowships aimed tohelp youth develop a sense of purpose. 12. More than a decade of observation in Seattle suburbs shows where sensitive bird species wont go Source: University of Washington News Link: https://www.washington.edu/news/2026/08/11/more-than-a-decade-of-observation-in-seattle-suburbs-shows-where-sensitive-bird-species-wont-go/ After tracking birds in the Puget Sound lowlands for 12 years, researchers conclude that birds respond better to some development configurations than others, highlighting measures developers can take to protect native species while still meeting the regions growing demands. 13. Riders love e-buses but drivers prefer their cars, study finds Source: Cornell Global Reach Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/riders-love-e-buses-drivers-prefer-their-cars-study-finds Researchers found that while the smoother, quieter ride of an electric bus was appealing to those who already rode public transportation, those advantages werent enough to lure drivers away from their cars. 14. Hopkins Press executive director Barbara Kline Pope to retire in February Source: Johns Hopkins University News Link: https://hub.jhu.edu/2026/08/10/hopkins-press-barbara-kline-pope-retirement/ Pope, who joined the university in 2017, has helped the Press evolve and expand its digital offerings during a complex and challenging era for academic publishing 15. Yang Center for Wildlife Health welcomes three postdoctoral fellows tackling One Health challenges Source: Cornell Life Science Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/yang-center-wildlife-health-welcomes-three-postdoctoral-fellows-tackling-one-health Through their research programs, the 2026 fellows are advancing new tools and insights to inform conservation strategies, strengthen disease management, and promote sustainable systems that benefit wildlife, people, and the planet. 16. Princeton alumni awarded three of four 2026 Fields Medals in math Source: Princeton University News Link: https://www.princeton.edu/news/2026/07/23/princeton-alumni-awarded-three-four-2026-fields-medals-math The prestigious medal is awarded every four years by the International Mathematical Union to researchers under 40 years old for outstanding mathematical achievement and future promise. 17. Martie Young, great hero of Johnson Museum of Art, dies at 96 Source: Cornell Arts and Humanities Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/07/martie-young-great-hero-johnson-museum-art-dies-96 Martie Wing Young, professor of the history ofart, emeritus, died on July 12 in Prescott, Arizona. 18. How social media interoperability could restore user choice Source: Oxford University Link: https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/how-social-media-interoperability-could-restore-user-choice/ Social networking interoperability is a leading policy proposal thatgivesusers a realchoiceofplatformproviders. New evidence shows it onlyworksif regulators get the specifics right, argues Philipp Riederle, doctoral researcher, OII. 19. Redesigned fire gear offers potentially more cooling, less toxicity Source: Cornell Architecture Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/06/redesigned-fire-gear-offers-potentially-more-cooling-less-toxicity A Cornell researchers bold redesign of firefighter gear, which hasnt significantly changed in decades, is more versatile and better adapted to their actual work, only a small fraction of which involves fighting structure fires. 20. Many young people are being prescribed multiple psychiatric drugs at once which can be risky Source: University of Pennsylvania News Link: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/penn-in-the-news/many-young-people-are-being-prescribed-multiple-psychiatric-drugs-once-which-can Many young people are being prescribed multiple psychiatric drugs at once which can be risky Sean Hennessy of the Perelman School of Medicine led a study that explored the risks of prescribing multiple medications at once. 21. Robert J. David Source: McGill University News Link: https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/node/22751 Robert David Title: Professeur(e) titulaire Department: Faculté de gestion Desautels Areas of expertise: Émergence de nouvelles industries; transformation des industries matures; évolution des pratiques de gestion; institutions et esprit d'entreprise Email address: robert. 22. Cells pulse together as they grow and malignant cells pulse the longest Source: MIT News Link: https://news.mit.edu/2026/cells-pulse-together-malignant-cells-pulse-longest-0814 As epithelial cells migrate in the body, they synchronize and pulse together. This cellular dance could yield clues to the development of cancer, asthma, and other diseases. 23. NUS professor acts as own test subject in study, reverses physiological age by 15 years Source: National University of Singapore News Link: https://news.nus.edu.sg/nus-professor-acts-as-own-test-subject-in-study-reverses-physiological-age-by-15-years/ 8world Online, 14 August 2026 24. Job titles of the future: Space travel agent Source: MIT Technology Link: https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/08/14/1141431/job-titles-space-travel-agent-roman-chiporukha/ Roman Chiporukha has long turned wild travel dreams into reality. 25. Copper defies expectations under extreme heat Source: Stanford News Link: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2026/08/copper-extreme-heat-research-fusion-reactors A new SLAC study could improve simulations used to identify materials that can withstand the intense heat of future fusion reactors. 26. While Great Lakes ice cover is slipping, a temporary respite may be on the way Source: University of Michigan News Link: https://news.umich.edu/while-great-lakes-ice-cover-is-slipping-a-temporary-respite-may-be-on-the-way/ There's good news and bad news for folks who love a good coat of ice on the Great Lakes for the activities and businesses it supports. 27. Attacking cancer-enabling proteins where they live Source: Cornell Physical Science Engineering Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/attacking-cancer-enabling-proteins-where-they-live Using a photochemically driven labeling technique, a Cornell-led research group has devised a way to capture cancer-specific protein-to-protein interactions, which could spawn targeted therapies for prostate and other forms of the disease. 28. NYS teachers take on microplastics with snail-inspired robot Source: Cornell Energy Environmental Sustainability Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/nys-teachers-take-microplastics-snail-inspired-robot Researchers and extension staff translated complex research into a hands-on curriculum including the construction and deployment of floating robots for New York State teachers and their students. 29. America the beautiful Source: Harvard Gazette Link: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2026/08/america-the-beautiful/ Celebrating nations natural wonders through art on 250th anniversary 30. Reducing interview anxiety for autistic applicants Source: Cornell Business Economics Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/reducing-interview-anxiety-autistic-applicants To reduce the challenges of job searching, autistic applicants should rehearse socially appropriate responses and practice answering interview questions about teamwork with examples from previous experiences. 31. New program turns minor cheating violations into a learning opportunity Source: Cornell Computing Information Science Link: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/new-program-turns-minor-cheating-violations-learning-opportunity An initiative to handle minor academic integrity violations in classes is rolling out to the entire university in the fall semester after a successful two-and-a-half-year pilot. Sources in this brief: Cornell Architecture; Cornell Arts and Humanities; Cornell Business Economics; Cornell Computing Information Science; Cornell Energy Environmental Sustainability; Cornell Global Reach; Cornell Life Science; Cornell Physical Science Engineering; Cornell Social Behavioural; Harvard Gazette; Johns Hopkins University News; MIT News; MIT Technology; McGill University News; National University of Singapore News; Oxford University; Princeton University News; Stanford News; University of Michigan News; University of Pennsylvania News; University of Washington News. Selected 31 of 368 available items for this weekly brief.