Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2026 - Page 30


Page 30 of 493

First observation of quantum spins shifting a centimeter-scale object in the lab

Researchers at OIST successfully moved a levitating, centimeter-wide diamond using the force generated by electron spin alone, directly observing a quantum effect on an object subject to gravity. This achievement sets a new baseline for studying the boundary between classical and quantum physics.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2026

Study: ‘Classic example’ of sexual dimorphism in fossil record actually shows nuance between males and females

A study from the University of Kansas reevaluates the morphology of uintatheres, finding that the differences between male and female specimens may not be as vast as previously believed. The research, led by Kevin Mulcahy, used statistical analysis on modern-day bison to test the hypothesis of sexual dimorphism in these extinct animals.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalPLOS One·DateOct 7, 2026

Dogs and owners disturb each other in the night, but still get pretty good sleep

A study of 25 humans and 38 dogs found that sharing a bed did not significantly impact sleep duration or quality, with humans and dogs often becoming active around the same time. The results suggest that both humans and dogs may be disturbing each other's sleep, contradicting the common assumption that dogs are the primary disruptors.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2026

Brain immune cells protect neurons in Parkinson’s disease by “nibbling” harmful material

Researchers have found a new mechanism by which brain immune cells, microglia, protect neurons from Parkinson's disease by removing harmful alpha-synuclein clumps. The study identified a population of activated microglia that can selectively remove pathological protein material from neurons, suggesting a potential therapeutic target fo...

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2026

HKUST researchers reveal a tiered adaptation strategy in deep-sea chemosynthetic symbiosis

The study reveals that symbionts undergo metabolic reprogramming in response to hydrogen sulfide limitation, and hosts regulate symbiont abundance to maintain stability. This tiered adaptation strategy helps holobionts cope with environmental change and highlights the key role of symbiotic relationships in sustaining cold seep ecosystems.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2026

A honey trap for protecting the forest

Researchers at Kyoto University used a 'honey trap' to assess habitat conditions in operational forests using Platycerus beetles. The study found that beetle capture counts increased toward forest interiors and declined toward open areas, highlighting the value of looking beyond forest-wide averages when assessing habitat conditions.

SourceKyoto University·JournalForest Ecology and Management·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2026

Beyond oxygen

Technion researchers have made a breakthrough in hydrogen production, generating hydrogen while producing valuable chemicals, including epoxides essential for various products. The process achieves 98% efficiency and has potential for large-scale industrial adoption.

SourceTechnion-Israel Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2026

A new approach to sustainable plastics

Researchers have developed a more sustainable version of polystyrene by incorporating renewable feedstocks and improved recyclability. The new material contains around 50% bio-based raw material and can be broken down into smaller fragments, allowing for a circular economy.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon·JournalChem Circularity·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2026

Rapid low-cost diagnosis within reach for TB ‘missed millions’ researchers find

A large-scale study found that pooled sputum testing halves the number of cartridges needed for successful diagnoses, enabling thousands more people to be diagnosed with TB. The technique is also more cost-effective, with a 51% reduction in cartridges needed and a corresponding decrease in test cost from nearly US$8 to less than US$4.

SourceLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateOct 7, 2026

Beyond conventional nanocrystallization: Supranano precipitates advance high-frequency soft magnetic materials

Researchers developed a novel supranano multi-precipitate microstructure in amorphous soft magnetic composites using Ar/O2 plasma treatment, significantly reducing coercivity while maintaining excellent overall performance. The optimized material exhibits an ultralow coercivity of 0.13 Oe and high effective permeability of 37.3.

The relationship between metacognition and performance anxiety in football

A study of 150 Norwegian football players reveals that elite players experience less competitive anxiety than amateur players, with women reporting higher levels of anxiety. The research suggests that elite players use metacognitive strategies to manage their anxiety, such as visualizing scenarios and ruminating on their reactions.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalFrontiers in Sports and Active Living·TypeSurvey·DateOct 7, 2026

Predicting urban building damage even from cloud-obscured satellite images: SNU professor in Ho Cho’s team develops scientific ai framework

A new AI framework can rapidly predict city-scale structural damage from satellite images obscured by clouds, smoke, or other interference. By incorporating statistical data correction techniques, the framework can estimate damage immediately after a disaster without costly retraining.

SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 7, 2026

Display chemicals accumulate in Arctic, Antarctic, and Qinghai-Xizang Plateau soils

A study analyzed surface soils from the Arctic, Antarctic, and Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, detecting 42 display-related chemicals with persistent and semi-volatile properties. The findings suggest ongoing environmental input and accumulation, with greater potential ecological concern in high-altitude regions.

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateOct 7, 2026

Newly qualified nurses and midwives have higher rates of long-term sickness absence

Hospital-based nurses and midwives have higher rates of long-term sickness absence and back disorders compared to graduates in other sectors. After leaving hospital work, sickness absence and mental health problems often increase, contradicting the notion that hospital staff's health improves over time.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalCommunications Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 7, 2026

International experience gives business leaders an edge, University of Bath study finds

Business leaders with international experience have stronger organisational performance, including higher growth and profitability. The study found that companies led by executives with greater international experience often invested more in innovation and successfully implemented international expansion strategies.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Management·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2026

Beetles build with a yellow pigment gene

Tortoise beetles use a yellow pigment gene to create protective spheres for symbiotic bacteria, which are essential for their survival. The spheres are made from a dense, glue-like matrix formed from the yellow protein, and are essential for the bacterium's digestion and survival.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2026

Mars’s oddest cloud may be even odder than we thought

Researchers found Mars's Arsia Mons Elongated Cloud (AMEC) exhibits rare homogeneous nucleation, where water vapor directly turns into icy cloud particles without specks of other matter. This phenomenon is unexpected and occurs due to unique atmospheric conditions created by Mars's thin atmosphere and towering Arsia Mons volcano.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 7, 2026

Public health strategies used against cigarettes could help reduce appeal of firearms, paper argues

Researchers argue that reducing firearm portrayals in entertainment and challenging firearm-related beliefs can complement efforts to reduce firearm violence. A universal public health approach could challenge the perception of firearms as a safe means of self-protection.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 7, 2026

Key driver of aggressive prostate cancer identified, suggesting new way to reverse drug resistance

A study published in Nature reveals that a single transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a crucial role in determining prostate cancer's sensitivity to treatment. The study found that a specific tRNA can control the identity of prostate cancer cells and influence their response to therapy, potentially opening new avenues for precision oncology.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2026

Breaking a long-standing boundary in physics: Xue-Jia Yu’s team and collaborators publish two consecutive papers in Nature, revealing that topology can survive at critical points

Topological phases of matter have been found to be robust at critical points, where the energy gap closes, despite being incompatible with traditional topology. This discovery could lead to new materials with exceptional stability and unique properties.

SourceEastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2026

“Top predator” from the Jurassic measures just half a meter

Researchers from the Universities of Shenyang, Chicago, and Bonn have discovered a 165-million-year-old aquatic mammaliaform called Megacauda sungei, which measures just half a meter in length and has a unique soft palate. This adaptation allowed the creature to swallow and breathe while swimming, a key advantage for mammals.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2026

Gut microbes across continents trace ancient human migration

A new study reveals that the Hadza and Tsimane populations, with lifestyles differing by only industrialization, share over 1,200 bacterial species, many with ancient roots. This suggests that these microbes may have co-evolved with humans over millennia, potentially impacting health in industrialized populations.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2026