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Science News Archive 2026


Page 1 of 412

Eggshells: Next-generation spacecraft protection

Researchers have developed an eggshell-inspired aluminum material that offers significant protection from space debris. The material, which consists of water-filled aluminum eggshells arranged in an array, can withstand high loads and reduce the velocity of an impact projectile by nearly 65%. The design, which is inspired by the natura...

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateSep 8, 2026

Hormone therapy use for hot flashes and night sweats in peri- and early postmenopause linked to lower cardiovascular risk in women

A US study of 20 years of health data found that hormone therapy initiated during peri- or early postmenopause reduces cardiovascular disease risk by 22% compared to those who did not use hormone therapy. The protective effect was strongest among Black women and those who initiated therapy within 10 years of menopause onset.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateSep 8, 2026

High-dose flu vaccine beneficial for older people with lung disease

A high-dose flu vaccine has been shown to reduce hospitalizations for older people with lung disease, including COPD and asthma. The vaccine reduced hospital admissions for flu or pneumonia by 8.8% compared to the standard-dose vaccine.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 8, 2026

Severe asthma linked to changes in brain structure

Researchers found changes in brain structure, including white matter organization and region size, in people with severe asthma compared to those with well-controlled mild or moderate asthma. Inflammation levels were also linked to white matter changes, suggesting a possible connection between inflammation and brain changes.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2026

Augmentation not abdication, when using AI in research

The authors propose norms for AI use in research, distinguishing between non-generative tasks and generative AI, which should not replace human interpretation and judgement. Science requires diversity of inputs and ideas, and serendipity counts, making generative AI training on existing data limiting breakthroughs.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 8, 2026

New study raises concerns about climate feedback loop as melting Arctic glaciers flush ancient methane from rocks beneath the ice

Researchers found ancient methane in every river sampled from Svalbard glaciers, indicating a natural feedback loop that may worsen as the Arctic warms. The study suggests that the physical state of the glacier bed and geological sources of methane are key factors in methane release.

SourceiC3 Polar Research Hub·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2026

What can a rat’s ultrasonic call tell us about food-related pleasure?

Researchers identified a distinct 40 kHz inverted-U USV associated with palatable chocolate consumption, suggesting rats vocally express enjoyment of eating. The vocalization was linked to the endogenous opioid system and was more frequent with palatable food, suggesting a measurable signal for positive emotional states.

SourceUniversity of Fukui·JournaleNeuro·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

Bone healing is a team effort, study finds

Researchers discovered that β1 integrin and DDR2 form a cooperative collagen-sensing system in skeletal progenitor cells, regulating their migration, proliferation, and differentiation during bone regeneration. Targeting both receptors may provide a more effective strategy for enhancing bone repair in degenerative or injury-related ske...

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

AI model decodes the language cells use to communicate

Researchers have discovered that each signaling pathway leaves behind a unique fingerprint of gene activity, allowing them to reconstruct signaling histories across different cell types. This AI-driven approach, called IRIS, enables scientists to comprehensively map signaling histories at an unprecedented scale, accelerating stem cell ...

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalNature Methods·DateSep 8, 2026

New research rethinks plastic from the inside out

Virginia Tech researchers have developed degradable polymers with a new molecular architecture that combines strength, toughness, flexibility, and oxygen-blocking properties. The findings have implications for food packaging, which could lead to more sustainable and durable materials.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 8, 2026

Structural color just got glossy, durable and 3D-ready

The Kobe University team demonstrates glossy, non-iridescent, and protection-coated structural color coatings for 3D objects, reducing diffuse reflectance and increasing color brightness. The coatings are lightweight, making them ideal for aircraft and other applications where weight reduction is crucial.

SourceKobe University·JournalSmall Structures·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

New method causes cancer cells to burn out

Researchers developed a new treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by using AcTor, a molecule that inhibits a signalling protein, in combination with ixazomib. The treatment successfully eliminated cancer cells and leukemic stem cells, showing promising results in mice studies.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalMolecular Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

Nature Biotechnology | Insilico’s AI-driven IPF candidate rentosertib shows potential for biological age reversal, as assessed by six proteomic aging clocks

Researchers evaluated biological age using six internationally recognized proteomic aging clocks, finding a reduction in predicted biological age among patients treated with rentosertib. The drug also showed promising dose-dependent reversal of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), a measure of lung function declining with age.

SourceInSilico Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateSep 7, 2026

A fluorinated imine additive helps graphite anodes endure 1,000 cycles

A fluorinated imine additive improves graphite anode stability through a LiF-rich protective layer, enhancing lithium-ion transport and long-term battery stability. The additive retains 89.4% and 95.6% of maximum capacities after 1,000 cycles, outperforming additive-free cells.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalEnergy & Fuels·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2026

Making polymers fluoresce with stress

A simple blending strategy enables reversible fluorescence in block copolymers, allowing visualization of mechanical stress without altering material properties. The approach preserves mechanical properties and offers a practical route for stress-sensing functions in existing polymer materials.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2026

Treat education as infrastructure during wartime, say researchers in Ukraine

Researchers at the Center for Genomic Regulation in Ukraine describe a decentralized, cloud-based computing model and a train-the-trainer structure as key principles for resilient scientific capacity. The approach has been successful in producing trained researchers and has implications for protecting science during wartime.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalNature Genetics·DateSep 7, 2026

Researchers create polar wurtzite nitride semiconductor NbAlN

The team successfully grew single-crystalline polar wurtzite NbAlN thin films on GaN substrates, preserving the wurtzite crystal structure and metal polarity. This discovery expands the options for designing carrier density in GaN heterostructures, offering a new family of transition-metal-containing polar nitride semiconductors.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2026

Do black holes have hidden hair? Scientists find a new way to check

Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a method to detect hidden matter around black holes by analyzing changes in ringdown waves. The study found that hidden matter affects ringdown differently depending on its pressure arrangement around the black hole.

SourceNagoya University·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 7, 2026

New low-temperature coating strategy for tougher and conductive lightweight magnesium

Researchers developed a low-temperature steam-assisted process to create durable, conductive spinel coatings on magnesium alloys for harsh acidic environments. The coating achieved ultralow corrosion current density and high sheet resistance, making it suitable for next-generation energy storage and conversion technologies.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalSurface and Coatings Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2026

A neural brake on adult glioma progression

A new study reveals that inhibitory brain circuits can suppress adult glioma growth by reducing calcium activity inside tumor cells. Inhibitory neurons form synaptic contacts with glioma cells and reduce tumor cell proliferation and survival in preclinical models.

SourceNagoya City University·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2026

Deconstructing LSD for therapeutic discoveries

University of California, Davis researchers successfully synthesized new compounds with reduced hallucinogenic and cardiotoxic effects, identifying one compound with antipsychotic-like effects. By systematically deconstructing LSD, they uncovered the importance of the phenethylamine-like traits in producing hallucinogenic effects.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 7, 2026

Is self-processing conserved across primate species' brains?

Researchers found strong similarities in small-scale structural properties and gene expression patterns between humans and macaques, but more differences in large-scale connections. Chimpanzees occupy an intermediate position between macaques and humans, with brain systems showing reorganization in sensory, motor, and internal informat...

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateSep 7, 2026

'Heel-strike’ allowed early humans to walk farther at cost of high impact forces

A new study reveals that early humans' unique heel-strike walking style allowed for efficient foraging strategies like hunting and gathering, but came at the cost of higher impact forces on bones and joints. This adaptation may have required later anatomical changes to enable safe and consistent walking.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 7, 2026

How deep sleep shapes mental resilience to stressful situations

Research suggests that deep sleep strengthens resilience to stressful situations in mice by reorganizing brain activity in the prelimbic cortex. The study found that mice who experienced more deep sleep were better able to cope with stressful social situations.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateSep 7, 2026

How climate change may amplify earthquake impacts in the Arctic

A recent GEOMAR study found that climate change can trigger cascading natural hazards in the Arctic. The research team investigated an earthquake that triggered a rock avalanche on Jan Mayen island, revealing the devastating impact of permafrost degradation on the region's slopes and glaciers.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 7, 2026

Smoking has declined overall, but vaping has increased and people are starting to smoke at a younger age

Research from Austria and Ireland shows that nicotine addiction remains a major health concern, with vaping and smoking increasing among children and young people. The studies found that smoking has declined, but vaping has risen, particularly among those under 18, and that people are taking up smoking at a younger age. The findings hi...

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2026

Borderline low hemoglobin levels, usually considered normal, are linked to a higher risk of death

A prospective cohort study found that adults with hemoglobin levels 1 to 3 g/dL above the World Health Organization's anemia thresholds had lower mortality compared to those with levels below and above this range. The study suggests that further investigation of borderline anemia is warranted.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateSep 7, 2026

Eating disorders more common in teens from low socioeconomic backgrounds

Teenagers from lower-income households are more likely to have eating disorders, contrary to common stereotypes. The study found that family income showed the strongest correlation, with two-thirds of studies indicating that lower-income families were more likely to have eating disorder symptoms.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2026

Laughter therapy can help people with COPD breathe more easily

A clinical trial shows that laughter therapy can reduce breathing difficulties and is as effective as traditional breathing exercises in COPD patients. Patients who underwent laughter therapy had less difficulty breathing and better overall health compared to those who received traditional breathing exercises or no treatment.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 6, 2026

Smoking leads to increased loneliness

A large Europe-wide study has found that smoking leads to increased loneliness, with current smokers reporting higher levels of loneliness and social isolation. The study suggests that smoking damages psychosocial health in addition to physical effects, and highlights the need to challenge the social norms surrounding smoking.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 6, 2026

Bacteria in classroom dust associated with reduced lung function in children

Research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress found common bacteria in classroom dust, such as Streptomyces and Mycobacterium spp., are associated with reduced lung function in children. Children exposed to classrooms with higher levels of these bacteria had lower forced vital capacity, FEV₁, and PEF.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 6, 2026

Boosting the power of plasma for industry

Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University discovered that reducing pressure helps extend plasma lifetime and increase atomic oxygen availability. The findings promise more effective oxygen plasma treatments for industries, including biomedical and semiconductor sectors.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·DateSep 5, 2026

bZIP transcription factor AflHapX coordinates iron homeostasis and aflatoxin biosynthesis in Aspergillus flavus

AflHapX is critical for A. flavus's adaptive response to iron excess and starvation, influencing aflatoxin B1 production. The transcription factor regulates genes involved in iron homeostasis, aflatoxin biosynthesis, and oxidative stress responses.

SourceInstitute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalMycology: An International Journal on Fungal Biology·DateSep 4, 2026

International awards for researchers at Göttingen Campus

Dr. Sophie de Vries receives funding to study how plants balance immunity with cooperation, while Dr. Tristan Stöber works on developing AI systems that can build accurate internal models of the world. Professor Elisa Oberbeckmann investigates gene regulation mechanisms.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·DateSep 4, 2026

How UVic researchers are helping Canada understand a changing climate

UVic researchers played a significant role in Canada's Changing Climate Report 2026, providing detailed assessments of past and future climate changes in Canada. The report finds that human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are driving widespread changes, including extreme heat, warming oceans, and rising sea levels.

SourceUniversity of Victoria·DateSep 4, 2026

Study: Generative AI succumbs to conversational misinformed pressure and argument

Researchers at the University of Arizona assessed seven generative AI models for fallibility, persuadability and correctability during lengthy conversations. The study revealed intrinsic limitations of these models, including oscillation between accepting and rejecting false statements, and the need for careful human engagement to miti...

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 4, 2026

Electrical grids planned on outdated climate data face physical and fiscal risk: UN University scientists propose domain-informed AI as the fix

The UN University's latest publication highlights the need for domain-informed AI in grid planning to address physical and fiscal risks from outdated climate data. The authors warn that 15-20 year lifespans of electricity infrastructure are based on historical weather records unlikely to hold in the coming decades.

SourceUnited Nations University·DateSep 4, 2026

New method predicts where massive earthquakes will strike

Scientists have developed a method to identify where Earth's biggest earthquakes are most likely to occur, focusing on subduction zones. The approach uses GPS measurements to detect locked regions along faults, which store energy until a major earthquake triggers. While the method cannot predict tsunami size or timing, it can narrow do...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 4, 2026

Decades-old museum specimens reveal ten extraordinary new worms

Scientists have discovered 10 new species of branching marine worms, shedding light on their evolution and diversity. The study, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, used DNA sequencing and anatomical analyses to solve a long-standing puzzle and provide new insights into the evolution of complex body forms.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 4, 2026

Ambient-dried bamboo fiber foam combines electromagnetic shielding with thermal protection

The study introduces a new bamboo fiber foam that combines electromagnetic shielding, flame retardancy, thermal insulation, and electrically driven heating in one lightweight material. The foam was created using ambient drying, which reduces energy consumption compared to traditional processing methods.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2026

Microplastics may act as pollutant shuttles, carrying chemicals, pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes

Microplastics act as pollutant shuttles, carrying chemicals, pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes through water, soil, food webs and environmental boundaries. A three-tiered framework identifies conditions for dominant ecological risks, highlighting the need for realistic risk assessment and unified global governance.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalEnergy & Environment Nexus·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 4, 2026

Slow pyrolysis could turn heavy metal contaminated crops into useful carbon materials

A new review suggests slow pyrolysis can reduce environmental risks while recovering materials, metals, and energy from contaminated agricultural biomass. The process involves controlled heating, producing biochar, bio-oil, and gases, with potential applications in soil amendment, water treatment, and metal recovery.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalSustainable Carbon Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 4, 2026

Bacteria can make testosterone. What could that mean for prostate cancer?

Researchers discovered a bacterium in urine that can convert DHEA into testosterone, shedding light on a previously unknown microbial route to a hormone central to prostate biology. This finding raises new questions about the potential role of microorganisms near the prostate in shaping its chemical environment.

SourceAuburn University Department of Physics·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2026