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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 249


Page 249 of 515

One billion times the distance from the Earth to the sun: First global map of mycorrhizal fungi reveals true scale of underground networks across the planet

Researchers created the first global maps of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi's distribution and mass, estimating ~110 quadrillion kilometers of network length and ~300 megatons of carbon. The networks support plant life and regulate climate by drawing in CO2 from atmosphere.

SourceSociety for the Protection of Underground Networks·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 11, 2026

Narrower, brighter, better

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a new organic molecule with an ultranarrow emission spectrum, achieving monochromatic light without strong excitation. The breakthrough opens up possibilities for OLEDs with extremely high color purity and advanced functionality.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program announces cohort 5 awardees

Eighty medical students from across the US and Puerto Rico are selected for a six-week summer experience to introduce them to clinical research early in their careers. The program aims to develop the next generation of clinical investigators equipped to engage communities and improve participation in clinical trials.

Sheba Medical Center and Kessler Foundation partner to expand revolutionary spinal stimulation rehabilitation for people with a spinal cord injury

The collaboration aims to expand research and clinical program development in spinal cord stimulation, pairing it with intensive activity-based training to improve movement, mobility, and other functions. This effort will help move evidence-based practices into broader clinical use, benefiting people living with a spinal cord injury.

Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine researcher awarded up to $17.25 million to join an international autism research collaborative

Baylor College of Medicine researcher Dr. Jimmy Holder and his team will join the ARIA IMPACT Network to accelerate clinical trial readiness and implementation for promising therapies on autism. The collaboration aims to better understand how autism develops and changes over time in children with profound autism.

Exploring the bidirectional skin-brain axis: Mental health, dermatology-related quality of life, and the role of probiotics

This Brazilian adult study explores the association between mental health, dermatology-related quality of life, and probiotic intake. Women were found to have higher anxiety, depression, and stress levels than men, with strong positive correlations among these conditions.

SourceJournal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology·JournalJournal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2026

New framework aims to transform high-altitude medicine through whole-body approach to hypoxia

A new model proposes a comprehensive framework for understanding altitude-related illnesses as interconnected manifestations of a common underlying process. The Hypoxia Stress-induced Multi-organ Injury (HSMI) framework emphasizes the widespread biological responses triggered by oxygen deprivation, affecting organs over time.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·DateJun 11, 2026

New study finds points systems drive sick workers to show up, undermining paid sick leave laws

A new study reveals that employer points systems, which penalize workers for absences regardless of reason, are strongly associated with presenteeism and undermine public health benefits of paid sick leave laws. Workers in the US who were subject to these systems were more likely to show up to work while sick.

SourceHarvard Kennedy School·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 11, 2026

Could a controversial cooling strategy save our fisheries and coral reefs from marine heat waves?

A controversial cooling strategy to shield Earth from sun's rays could offer unequal protection for oceans and communities, leaving 25-75% of seas at risk from overheating. Researchers used computer simulations to forecast marine heat waves under future scenarios with and without solar geoengineering.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEnvironmental Research Climate·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 11, 2026

The universal tempo of animal communication

Researchers found that 95% of animal species vocalize at a rate between 0.45 and 4.99 Hz, with a peak at 2.8 Hz, suggesting a shared ancient constraint across species. This universal tempo may facilitate communication between species.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

New study shows metformin given during acute COVID-19 infection reduced risk of clinician-diagnosed long COVID by 50%

A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that metformin reduced the risk of clinician-diagnosed long COVID by 50% when administered during acute COVID-19 infection. The study, which enrolled nearly 3,000 adults, showed improved long-term outcomes and no safety concerns.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 11, 2026

Temple Health awarded $700,000 William Penn Foundation grant to develop trauma‑informed family support

The Temple Family Thriving Program integrates caregiver and early childhood support into prenatal and postpartum care to strengthen parent-child bonds and promote healthy development. The program aims to reduce risk factors associated with child abuse and neglect by addressing caregiver stress and promoting positive parenting practices.

On the trail of the missing hydrogen atoms

A scientific team has developed an AI-powered approach to solve a practical problem in materials science by locating missing atomic positions in otherwise known structures. By using an adapted open-source model called XtalPaint, researchers can reconstruct accurate crystal representations with a success rate of 97%.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 11, 2026

Plants reveal hidden PFAS pollution that soils can miss, study finds

A new study found that plants can reveal recent PFAS contamination linked to airborne deposition, suggesting direct exposure from the atmosphere rather than uptake through roots alone. The research suggests that vegetation can serve as a valuable tool for tracking emerging environmental contaminants and complement traditional soil-base...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2026

Revealing optical activity in achiral crystals

A team of researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo found that Raman optical activity can occur in nonmagnetic, centrosymmetric crystals with ferroaxial order, which introduces an internal directional property. This effect depends on the orientation of the crystal and is linked to the direction of internal rotational order.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

Open-source artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of humanity: Scientists question, if the world is ready

Researchers warn that open-source AI could increase environmental pressures, deepen technological inequalities, and spread misinformation. To mitigate these risks, the authors propose four governance actions to ensure AI contributes positively to the Sustainable Development Goals.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 11, 2026

Americans split on fluoridation; opposition by MAHA supporters notable

A new survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds Americans sharply divided over the use of fluoride in public drinking water. Supporters of the Make America Healthy Again movement are notably more skeptical about fluoridation's health effects, while a majority trust the American Dental Association's stance on its safety.