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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 218


Page 218 of 505

Medicine: cause of chronic inflammatory bowel disease in children discovered

A team of international researchers has identified a previously unknown genetic cause of Crohn's disease in children, specifically pathogenic variants in the BIRC3 gene. The study found that loss of BIRC3 function leads to dysregulation of the RIPK1 signaling pathway, promoting chronic inflammations and increasing epithelial cell death.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalGastroenterology·DateJun 24, 2026

Electric field, oxygen spillover team up to govern electrode migration in SOECs

Researchers found that oxygen spillover drives silver transport by forming mobile Ag−O δ− species, while the electric field controls the direction and speed of silver migration. This dynamic restructuring enhances the oxygen evolution reaction by creating more active triple-phase boundaries.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 24, 2026

Sicily was a medieval melting pot

A recent study published in PLOS One analyzed DNA from 111 individuals across 19 archaeological sites in Sicily, revealing a complex demographic history. The results show that North African descent was present earlier than expected, and both Islamic and Christian burials had diverse ancestry patterns.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2026

Dutch kids in schools which implement healthy lunches and more physical activity perform significantly better in math tests, per analysis of the Healthy Primary School of the Future program

A recent analysis of the Healthy Primary School of the Future program found that Dutch children performing better in math tests, thanks to healthier lunches and increased physical activity. The study suggests a positive correlation between these factors and academic success.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateJun 24, 2026

A magnetic field that kills superconductivity can also bring it back

Researchers at RIKEN CEMS created a thin conducting layer at oxide interface and observed reentrant superconductivity, where superconductivity disappears then re-emerges under increased magnetic field. This phenomenon provides new platform for investigating unconventional forms of superconductivity and quantum mechanisms.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2026

HSS researchers identify hidden mechanism driving joint tissue growth in rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery identified SPP1ʰmacrophages that promote excessive joint tissue expansion in rheumatoid arthritis. These cells work with structural cells and protein scaffolds to drive abnormal growth, suggesting a coordinated interaction between immune cells, structural cells, and the extracellular matrix.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeNews article·DateJun 24, 2026

Revealed: The key to studying the event horizon where light and sound are swallowed for eternity (animation available)

Astronomers have successfully observed the previously elusive 'event horizon' of a black hole at the moment of collision, allowing for new insights into quantum physics and general relativity. This breakthrough enables astrophysicists to study extreme gravity and phenomena like frame dragging near the event horizon.

SourceTania Ewing and Associates·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2026

Bilingual brains use a shared concept map between languages

Researchers discovered that bilingual brains store concepts in a mental map spanning both languages, allowing for smooth language switching while keeping them distinct. The brain organizes individual words within each language and connects equivalent meanings across languages using a semantic map.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2026

Scientists demonstrate solar-powered plastic recycling at real-world scale

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have successfully demonstrated a scalable approach to solar-powered plastic recycling, converting plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel and valuable industrial chemicals in outdoor conditions. The technology uses a simple spray-coating method to produce photocatalyst materials and reactors ...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Chemical Engineering·DateJun 24, 2026

Could daytime light exposure help protect against dementia?

A study of 87,577 adults found that average daytime light exposure above 1,000 lux reduced dementia risk by 16%. Longer exposure to bright light was associated with an even greater reduction in risk. Daytime light exposure was stronger predictor of dementia than established risk factors.

SourceWiley·JournalGeneral Psychiatry·DateJun 24, 2026

Environmental DNA reveals impact of climate and humans on global river fish biodiversity

A global analysis of fish biodiversity in rivers reveals that warmer climates and larger catchment sizes are associated with increased biodiversity. However, human activity weakens this relationship, particularly in smaller river catchments. The study demonstrates the potential of environmental DNA as a tool for rapid, large-scale biod...

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2026

Psychological and urogenital menopause symptoms similar regardless of timing of menopause

A new study compared menopause symptoms in women at the average age of 51 years and those with premature ovarian insufficiency, finding similar symptom burden in psychological and urogenital domains. Urogenital symptoms, including sexual problems and bladder issues, were the most commonly reported in both groups.

SourceThe Menopause Society·JournalMenopause·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2026

Seeing through optical noise: a sharper way to image the eye

The STOC-T technology resolves optical noise in eye imaging by fundamentally changing the way imaging data is collected, resulting in sharper images and improved diagnostic accuracy. This new approach addresses the problem earlier, before image construction, rather than relying on post-processing algorithms.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2026