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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 312


Page 312 of 516

UBC researchers find Indigenous lands can outperform protected areas on conservation

A new study by UBC researchers found that Indigenous lands consistently protect forests, biodiversity, and carbon stores at levels equal to or greater than government-designated protected areas. The study highlights the importance of securing formal land rights for Indigenous Peoples and funding and resourcing Indigenous stewardship.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalPeople and Nature·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 6, 2026

A new kind of cold sensor

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered a novel mechanism for sensing cold temperatures in a bacterial protein called SthK. This finding suggests that similar mechanisms may exist in other organisms, including humans, and could provide new insights into disorders related to faulty temperature regulation.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 6, 2026

How higher temperatures can benefit (or devastate) bumble bee populations

New research finds that higher temperatures can benefit bumble bees with underground nests by allowing them to spend more time foraging, but may devastate those with aboveground nests due to increased cooling costs. The benefits appear to outweigh the costs, but just a few damaging hours of extreme heat could set a colony back.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

Guided by light – fish larvae in Lake Constance

Research reveals how young fish larvae use green-yellow wavelengths of light to navigate Lake Constance's complex environment, but increasing temperatures and artificial lighting pose threats to their survival. Altering light colors in shore areas could mitigate these effects and help protect the delicate ecosystem.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalFreshwater Biology·DateMay 6, 2026

Nature draws more tourists to the Canary Islands than previously believed

A social media analysis by the University of Helsinki reveals that nature has an important role to play in tourism beyond the beaches, with 25% of photos taken in conservation areas and a third in natural settings. This finding suggests that Central and Southern Europeans tend to focus more on nature than British or Nordic visitors.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalPeople and Nature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 6, 2026

How physical activity is linked to well-being in daily life

Research analyzed data from over 300,000 participants to find correlations between physical activity and affective well-being. Positive correlations were found for energy and mood before and after exercise, while calmness showed a negative correlation. Individuals with low well-being particularly benefited from physical activity.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 6, 2026

In mafias, marriages are strategic tools

Research on the 'Ndrangheta mafia network reveals that matrimonial ties between lesser-known clans play a vital role in maintaining the entire network's resilience. The analysis found that marriages between less influential families are significantly more critical to the network's cohesion.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2026

Video and audio monitoring of the Arctic seafloor captures rarely seen phenomena: fish swimming backwards, narwhal calls nearby, and a beautiful array of deep-sea dwellers and tide-driven "marine snow”

Researchers used seafloor video and audio monitoring to capture rare phenomena in a Greenlandic glacial fjord, including fish swimming backwards and making sudden appearances of deep-sea dwellers. The study also revealed the presence of narwhals near the surface, providing new insights into the Arctic ecosystem.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateMay 6, 2026

Head impacts associated with altered gut microbiome in football players

Researchers tracked six NCAA Division I football players over a season and found that non-concussive head impacts correlated with changes to the gut microbiome. The study suggests that even sub-symptomatic head impacts might affect the gut microbiome, both in the immediate aftermath of injury and over a longer time course.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2026

HKUST researchers flip the CRISPR script to develop world's first DNA-guided gene editing tool for precise infectious disease diagnosis and advancing antiviral therapies

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) researchers have developed a revolutionary DNA-guided CRISPR-Cas system that can programmably target RNA molecules, offering improved accuracy in rapid infectious disease testing and advancing antiviral treatments.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

Rare footage of elusive sea-floor creatures and backward-swimming fish captured by compact video-acoustic system in Greenland

A new, non-invasive monitoring system captured striking footage of hyperbenthos, including a snailfish exhibiting backward swimming behavior, and the acoustic presence of narwhals. The study highlights the dynamic nature of the deep-sea environment, with organic particles concentrating in response to tidal currents.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2026

How immune cells spur repair of the heart

Macrophages are among the earliest responders to heart injury, activating an inflammatory program that helps kickstart regeneration. The researchers found that dampening this response specifically in macrophages promotes blood vessel growth and heart muscle cell proliferation, both essential for regeneration.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026