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Science News Archive 2026


Page 169 of 270

Non-destructive battery testing — New method developed with GSI participation

A new method has been developed to enable nondestructive diagnosis of the electrolyte in rechargeable batteries through the battery casing using special nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The technique, known as ZULF NMR, allows for the direct detection and quantification of electrolyte components without damaging the battery.

Weaponizing kinship

A new study examines the magnitude of harm inflicted on Colombians through over 740,000 homicides and enforced disappearances during the conflict. The researchers estimate that approximately 7.5% of Colombians lost a close relative, with women being 20% more likely to have been affected.

Zara, Balay, and Idealista are the most innovative Spanish companies

The 4th edition of the Spanish Innovation Index reveals Ikea as leader in commercial innovation, Toyota and Apple as top innovators in social and digital sectors. Zara, Balay, and Idealista take the lead in their respective categories, showcasing sustained improvement in consumer perception of innovation.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Novel plant-based approach to a better, cheaper GLP-1 delivery system

A novel plant-based approach uses lettuce chloroplasts to produce functional GLP-1 peptides, paving the way for more affordable and better-tolerated oral medications. This method bypasses hurdles such as manufacturing cost, delivery system, and side effects associated with conventional approaches.

Half of newborns with severe spina bifida have trouble breathing during sleep

Researchers discovered that 53% of newborns with myelomeningocele had sleep-disordered breathing, highlighting the need for routine screening and early intervention to prevent long-term complications. The study's findings suggest that addressing sleep disorders in high-risk infants could meaningfully improve their neurodevelopment.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Biophysical Society announces subgroup award winners

The Biophysical Society has announced the winners of the 2026 Subgroup Awards, honoring outstanding research in bioenergetics, bioengineering, biological fluorescence, and other fields. The awards recognize exceptional contributions to the field, with winners from top institutions worldwide.

Follow motion or light? How the brain deals with multiple visual inputs

A new study published in Nature Communications uses larval zebrafish to uncover the neural mechanisms behind visual integration and decision-making. The findings suggest that the brain uses an additive algorithm to combine sensory inputs from motion, light, and luminance changes, guiding rapid adaptive decisions.

Soybeans recruit beneficial soil microbes to defend against major pest

Researchers discover that resistant soybean varieties actively recruit beneficial soil microorganisms to suppress the devastating soybean cyst nematode. These microbes can be transferred to soil to help defend susceptible soybeans, providing a promising new approach for sustainable crop protection.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Compulsive traits linked to uncertainty over future plans

A new study links compulsive traits to a type of decision-making strategy, favoring habitual behaviors over long-term planning. People with more compulsive traits are also more uncertain about the outcomes of their actions, leading them to rely on habits.

Menstruation continues to shape participation in everyday life

A study in Spain found that only 15.4% of participants maintain their routine without change during menstruation, while many adapt their behavior to avoid discomfort. Menstruation continues to shape participation in everyday life, with social norms perpetuating discreet management.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

How faulty mRNA is destroyed

Researchers have identified a crucial mechanism behind nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), which removes faulty transcripts to prevent incomplete protein production. The study reveals that the SMG5 and SMG6 proteins interact directly, forming an endonuclease that cuts through RNA in a targeted manner.

Your lifestyle trajectory greatly influences your weight, study says

A study by Tufts researchers found that people who maintained unhealthy behaviors into adulthood gained the most weight, while those with healthy patterns gained the least. The study tracked Tufts students from precollege to adulthood and found that lifestyles during this critical window are often maintained, influencing long-term heal...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Teenagers don’t just influence each other – they learn from each other

Researchers found that adolescents are particularly influenced by classmates they're socially close to and peers in high-status positions. Social closeness and trust shape learning decisions, while positive peer influence increases with age. Gradassi's findings highlight opportunities to harness peer dynamics for constructive outcomes.

Eye-inspired artificial skin lets robots feel before they touch

The new dynamic shielding layer allows the sensor to focus on specific areas when needed, achieving a 104.56% increase in detection depth. The sensor can also detect approaching objects from over 90mm away, providing a vital split-second for robots to avoid collisions.

Drones capture rare harbour porpoise mating behaviour off Shetland

Scientists have captured rare footage of harbour porpoises gathering in unusually large groups and engaging in mating behaviour off the coast of Shetland. The study, led by Sophie Ariadne Francine Smith, provides a detailed record of harbour porpoise mating behaviour in UK waters.

Drug-related homicides increased in Mexico after NAFTA

A study by University of Cologne researchers found a significant increase in drug-related homicides along strategic trafficking routes after NAFTA came into force in 1994. The homicide rate among males aged 15-39 increased by 2.1 cases per 100,000 in these regions.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

More restrictive abortion laws, higher depression risk

A 25-year national study finds that restrictive abortion policies are associated with measurable rises in depressive symptoms among women, with an average increase of 7%. The study suggests that legal protections for reproductive health care may benefit mental health and counters misinformation regarding abortion and mental health.

How evolution shapes colour diversity in coral reef fish

Coral reef fish exhibit breathtaking visual diversity due to evolutionary constraints, not chance. The study reveals that the more species a reef is home to, the more varied the colour patterns, and fish from different oceans often end up looking alike.

REGALADE, the most extensive catalogue of galaxies for modern astronomy

The REGALADE catalogue combines data from 14 widely used catalogues and deep imaging surveys to create a unified place for astronomers to look up galaxy distances and features. This results in precise distance and size measurements for all galaxies, as well as stellar masses for most of them.

Common drug class may increase risk of heart disease

A large cohort study found that people using anticholinergic medications, commonly prescribed for urinary incontinence and anxiety, have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The cumulative use of these drugs was associated with an increased risk of heart failure and arrhythmias.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Research shows how lost memories can be reactivated

Scientists have used brain imaging to show how memories can be reactivated in the brain without reaching conscious awareness. This persistence of memories even when forgotten has implications for conditions like dementia, where current treatments often assume memories are gone.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Listening to the body’s quietest, yet most dynamic movements

Researchers developed a wearable vibration sensor capable of detecting subtle body movements without external power, opening new possibilities for healthcare technologies. The sensor accurately captures physiological signals and detects extremely faint vibrations across a broad frequency range.

Integrating physical activity into the treatment of mental illness

Structured exercise improves depression, psychotic symptoms, cognitive performance and cardiometabolic health in people with mental illness. Integration into psychiatric care using the 5A model can help address lack of exercise as a symptom and risk factor, reducing mortality.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

How viruses mess with our brains

A review of 900 scientific articles identified several biological markers associated with cognitive decline in viral infections, including activated monocytes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conversely, certain markers like anti-inflammatory cytokines are linked to better preservation of cognitive abilities.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

mRNA therapy restores fertility in genetically infertile mice

Researchers at Kyoto University developed mRNA therapy that successfully restored sperm production and enabled healthy offspring birth in genetically infertile male mice. The therapy targets genetic defects linked to male infertility, demonstrating a potential treatment for human infertility cases.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Frequency-comb spectrum-correlation reflectometry

The proposed OFC-SCR technique enables parallel multi-frequency interrogation, improving measurement speed by over an order of magnitude. It also achieves high frequency response, wide dynamic measurement range, high sensing sensitivity, and excellent robustness, pushing the performance boundaries of distributed fiber-optic acoustic se...

Lower music volume levels in fitness class and perceived exercise intensity

A comparative effectiveness study found that lower music volume levels in group fitness classes did not significantly impact perceived exercise intensity. The research suggests implementing safer sound practices and increased awareness on hearing protection to minimize the risk of noise-induced hearing loss.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

MetALD: Redefining the overlap of metabolic and alcohol-related liver injury

A new category of liver disease, MetALD, combines metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-related liver injury, representing a spectrum between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and alcohol-associated liver disease. MetALD management requires simultaneous control of metabolic risk factors and alcohol use.

Pitt scientists engineer “living eye drop” to support corneal healing

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine develop an experimental 'living eye drop' using naturally occurring eye bacteria to accelerate corneal wound healing. The engineered bacteria, Corynebacterium mastitidis, continuously secrete interleukin-10, a protein that regulates inflammation.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

AERA announces 2026 award winners in education research

The American Educational Research Association has announced the 2026 award winners, including Vivian Gadsden and James L. Moore III for their contributions to education research and policy implementation. The awards recognize excellence in various areas of education research.

One in 20 babies experiences physical abuse, global review finds

A global review of 20 studies covering over 220,000 infants and caregivers found nearly five per cent of infants experience physical aggression from caregivers in their first two years of life. Simple education, support lines, and clear policies against hitting children can help address the issue.

Nearly half of UK adults happy to use ChatGPT as a counsellor, study finds

A new study suggests that over 40% of UK adults are happy to use ChatGPT for mental health support due to long waiting times for traditional services. However, experts caution that AI should not replace human healthcare professionals and raise concerns about the potential impact on education and physical health.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.